#golden gai tokyo best bars

[sinswithpleasure]

You Can Watch, But You Can't Touch [At Least, Not Yet]

Tokyo, a city that never sleeps. 

You've been a regular participant of the bustling nightlife for years, being a bartender for one of the most famous bars along Golden Gai. Many famous patrons have come and gone—you've hosted not only Japan's best, but Hollywood's best as well, and with the way you conduct your business—sweet talking the patrons whenever they strike your fancy—you're no stranger to bedding some of these celebrities. However, you may have just gotten yourself the opportunity of a lifetime.

"Hngh, my God~!"

"Mmf, aah, fu~ck~."

"Oh fuck yes, yes…"

You have no idea how you'd managed to sweet talk your way into the situation you were in now. You're in the suite of five-star Park Hyatt Hotel, in front of TWICE's Myoui Mina, Minatozaki Sana, and Hirai Momo. All three women are naked in front of you, and you're not wearing any clothes either, all of you having discarded your clothing on the way in. 

"Come join us here, Takagi~." Sana's saccharine voice, dripping with sexual desire, calls you forth to get on the massive bed, where all three women lie side by side. You don't know where to look—all three beautiful Japanese goddesses have their hands between their legs, fingers plunging deep into their dripping pussies. You field a glance towards all three women, and your cock twitches when Sana returns you a wink, Mina licks her lips after staring at your hard cock, and Momo blows you a kiss. Precum drips from the tip as you watch Mina fondle her breasts, soft moans escaping her lips as she tugs at a nipple between her fingers. 

Wet squelches echo around the room, mixed with the varying sets of moans. Sana is unabashedly loud, her sweet whines and moans music to your ears, going straight to your cock. Momo's pleasure is vocalized in her low sultry voice, every thrust of her fingers into her dripping cunt punctuated by a low hum. Mina is the softest amongst the three, just as she would be, but she sounds no less sexy—her angelic voice is something you've enjoyed whenever you listen to TWICE's music, but here, that same voice conquers your mind through soft, breathy moans. 

"Takagi~," Mina's moan of your name has you twitching once more, your cock at its stiffest. You shift closer to the three idols, and Mina stares intently at your cock as you move, her fingers plunging faster into her cunt. 

"Takagi, please join us, mmf~... Join us and stroke your cock for us, please~!"

There was no way you were denying yourself the relief you needed, and neither would you deny Mina the pleasure of having her request fulfilled. You grab your cock and slowly lather your precum across your length before gently stroking your cock for the idols to watch. You softly grunt as the pleasure seeps into your system, and you watch as the eyes of all three women burn with lust at your display. 

"Takagi, who's your favourite out of the three of us?" Momo's signature low voice cuts through your pleasure, and you turn to look at the oldest of the three. The oldest girl has one hand on her left breast, and she kneads it gently, the flesh spilling from between her fingers. You're momentarily stunned by that display—to see Momo's huge breasts like that so intimately, you'd be an idiot not to enjoy it for as long as you can

"Answer me, Takagi~. Momo-onee-chan's waiting~." 

"I— I…" You're unable to even formulate any coherent sentence—Sana chooses that moment to moan your name, which draws your attention to her. She flashes you her million-dollar smile, ever full of mischief, promising nothing but seduction in this instance. You're fully aware you're being toyed around by the three Japanese megastars, but you're powerless to protest, and neither do you wish to as well. 

"Ta. Ka. Gi. Answer Momoring's question, please~."

"I…, oh God, fuck—" You partially moan out of pleasure, and out of indecision—not on who's your favourite, but on whether your answer would have any repercussions. Tonight could go anywhere—the only thing you'd known was that you were chosen by MiSaMo to be their sexual partner for tonight, but you weren't sure about the details. Even on the extremely short drive here to the Park Hyatt from the bar, all you were allowed to know about tonight's experience was that you would "enjoy tonight thoroughly and fully", or so Sana said. 

"Please tell us, Takagi?" You have no idea how Mina manages to look cute as she puts on her aikyo (愛嬌) for you even as she's fucking herself, pouting and whining while her fingers plunge deep into her pussy and draw more and more of her arousal to stain the sheets below. You nearly cum at the sight, and all three women giggle when you rip your hand away from your cock, your hips jerking as a few drops of hot, thick semen drip from your tip. 

"Oh, Minaring, look at what you've done!" Momo giggles in amusement, bumping the youngest of the trio with her elbow. "You've just made Takagi cum a little."

"Guess we know who's the favourite now, Momoring~."

You're absolutely embarrassed—you thought you'd be able to edge yourself, but Mina just being herself has you unable to control yourself fully, and you'd just lost a bit of your precious load you were saving for them. Sana must have sensed your disappointment. 

"It's okay, Takagi. Minaring has this effect on people. I'm sure you have more cum in those big balls for us, don't you~?"

"Y-Yes!" Eager to prove, to please, you begin to stroke yourself again, this time reaching below to fondle your balls as well. The low groan you let out draws giggles from the stars opposite you, and you open eyes that you'd closed in pleasure. In front of you, Mina has changed her method slightly—she rubs circles on her clit, her pussy still leaking and dripping. Next to her, the whirr of a vibrator starts up—Momo holds a Hitachi wand to her clit, and she throws her head back, moaning, her free hand on Mina's leg now after letting go of her breasts momentarily. Now, you get to look at the oldest girl's breasts without any obstruction—she arches her back at a particularly strong burst of pleasure, and you gawk at her heaving breasts jiggling as she bucks her hips, deep moans serving as vocal evidence of the sexual relief she enjoys. Sana is the only girl still fingering herself, but now she has three fingers in her, her eyes switching between you and her group mates, her bottom lip trapped between her teeth as she whines and moans in pleasure watching everyone else masturbate together with her. 

"Takagi…" Mina's call for you is breathy, shaky from the pleasure coursing through her veins. You're forced to rip your hand away from your cock again, lest you tip over the edge. This does not go unnoticed—Sana and Momo are giggling again at your obvious weakness for Mina. Mina continues, unfazed. "Let's—mmf~—strike a deal." 

"W-What?" You're dying to hear what Mina has to say. It'd probably be worth it, but you know that it'd probably be difficult, considering your current situation. 

"If… If you—oh~!—you last… l-longer than the three of us, we'll—fuck—I…" Mina trails off as she pushes her fingers back into her cunt again, before pulling them out. 

"What she means, Takagi…" Sana takes over for their youngest. "...is that if you manage to edge yourself until all three of us have enjoyed our orgasms, you'll get to fuck the three of us."

"A—Are you sure?" You can't believe your ears—this sounds too good to be true. 

"Are you calling me a liar?" Sana's grin promises she isn't offended—she's just teasing, as usual. "Of course we're sure. If you last long enough, we'll fuck you. One by one, in any position and hole you want."

"We'll even go again, if you can keep up." Momo adds on as she winks, her vibrator turned off for this negotiation. "Something tells me you can."

"Takagi." Mina's soft call gets your attention. "If you finish last, I'll fuck you first."

You'd have been a fool not to agree. The three idols grin, and Momo's vibrator clicks on again as you begin to stroke. This time, a second and third whirr join the first—Sana has another Hitachi wand in her hands, and a dildo in the other. She pushes the dildo in her as the toy comes into contact with her clit, and she lets out a long moan at the pleasure. Next to her, Mina also now has a vibrator—a dildo with a clit massager—and she toys around with it, stimulating herself with different angles. All three women moan your name, staring at you, blatantly displaying their desires and fantasies as they pleasure themselves, and you jerk yourself hard and fast at the sight in front of you. Precum coats your tip, and you spread it all across your cock as you jerk, eyes locked on the idols in front of you. You feast on the sight of Sana and Mina with their arms pushing against either side of their breasts, squeezing them together, before looking at Momo's massive chest jiggling as she writhes in pleasure.

"Takagi, oh God~." Momo calls for your attention. "I want your cock in me so bad, fuck…" 

"Oh yeah?" You can't help but indulge in the dirty talk. "What else?"

"I need that cock shooting into me, Takagi. I love the feeling of it, the warmth of semen filling me up." Momo begins to finger herself again as she turns up the vibrator. "Especially when these two watch me take it."

A blush spreads across Mina's face at Momo's words, whereas a smile spreads across Sana's. 

"That's right, Takagi. Momo lo~ves being bred by thick hard cocks like yours." Sana grins even as she fucks herself, her sentences punctuated by the occasional moan. A pout forms on her face at the next sentence. "And she always wants us to watch, because she loves making us jealous." 

"Don't lie, Sattang. You love watching me cum on hard cocks as much as you love cumming on them too." Momo's rebuttal has Sana giggling, and your brain is filled with the thought that this was a regular occurrence. You groan at the thought, your cock twitching as more precum bursts from the tip. 

"Oooh, Takagi liked that, Momoring~." 

"Mmm, of course. Bet you he's wondering how many men we've fucked like that."

Your eyes betray your curiosity—something all three girls pick up.

"We're not kissing and telling, Takagi~." Sana's quick to tease. "But I'm going to say… the most we've had was sex with three different men at the same time each, one after the other." A wink accompanies the reveal, before Mina moans again. She is clearly revisiting the experience—

"Oh yes, those three…" Momo joins in to add further context, just to rile you up further. "Their cocks were just as long and thick as yours, Takagi. They fucked us so good that we weren't able to get up for a while."

The image of Mina, Sana, and Momo next to each other, semen dripping from their used pussies, naked bodies glistening with sweat as they are right now, nearly has you cumming. You once again edge yourself, whimpering at the denied orgasm. 

"I think you'd be happy to know that our Minaring here…" Sana fields Mina a glance, "...liked it the most. Every time she came…"

Sana's voice drops low, as if to let you in on a secret.

"She squirted all over her partners."

"Oh f—, no, no!" Your cock visibly twitches at the imagery of Mina's squirting orgasm, and to both your pleasure and disappointment, you're barely able to finish your speech before spurts of semen burst from your tip, your orgasm hitting you like a truck. Shot after shot of semen sprays through the air, with your first five shots spray onto Mina's body, and the next five spraying all over the bedsheets, more semen firing from the tip.

The moment your hot semen sprays all over Mina's breasts, tummy, thighs, and ass, the youngest Japanese girl shudders, eyes rolling back in her head in a picture-perfect ahegao. She orgasms hard—the toy in her pussy is expelled out of her body onto the bed as her hips buck hard, and a long gush of squirt showers everyone on the bed. Burst after burst of Mina's juices rain over you, and your cock twitches again, just a little painfully after that intense orgasm. The Japanese girl writhes, shudders, and bucks as her orgasm takes her, and when she falls still, a panting, exhausted, sweaty mess, you can see the satisfied grin on her face, her eyes meeting yours. 

"Takagi, you failed." Momo's the first to get up, and Sana follows after. Both girls stop pleasuring themselves, and they share a look to each other before grinning. 

"I see you're still hard." Sana licks her lips at the sight of your cock, strings of semen clinging to the tip. "A pity we're not going to be able to help you with that…" 

You must've looked so pathetic and lost that Sana and Momo end up giggling at your predicament. All is lost, you think, until Momo speaks. 

"We'll give you one more chance, Takagi. Would you like that?"

"Y-Yes, please, anything!"

"Hehe, so eager and needy for our pussies…" Momo bites her lip, eyes raking over your body. "You're lucky we want to fuck ourselves on that cock as much as you want to pump our tight cunts full of cum."

Both girls give their youngest member a look. Mina is at her sexiest right now, her wanton body spread open for everyone to see. Her pussy clenches on nothing, slick dripping from her hole, semen staining her thighs, ass, and body. The afterglow of her orgasm is evident—she looks so fucking hot like that. 

"Since Mina offered…" Sana turns back to you with a bright smile, not unlike those you'd see on variety shows, or in TWICE TVs. "If you can show us how well you can fuck her, we'll fuck you."

You need no further invitation. Mina welcomes you eagerly when you crawl over—she spreads her legs wide for you, and she begs you with her eyes and hands. The look she gives you is of pure submission, and you look below to see her spreading her pussy open to welcome your cock. Both Sana and Momo crawl up to either side of you, and they watch you rub your hard cock against Mina's pussy, drawing soft moans from her. 

"Takagi, in me, please~!" Mina's quick to beg, the desperation eating away at her patience.

"Put it in, come on." With a soft push on your back, you penetrate Mina for the first time. Mina loudly moans as you stretch her walls—she's a tight fit, but you slide in with not much resistance, with how wet she is. Inch after inch, your cock disappears into her, and you swear you're in heaven. The pleasure you derive from her walls squeezing you, mixed with the natural scents of Sana and Momo beside you has you almost delirious—you can't believe this is truly happening. When you hilt, you groan loudly, and Mina whines as your cock twitches deep in her. 

"Go on, fuck her. Show us how a man like you fucks a woman, Takagi."

You're unable to keep your groan soft when you pull out of Mina's cunt and thrust back in. Mina joins you in vocalizing her pleasure, and she pulls you in to plant her lips on yours. You're surprised, naturally, but you adapt quickly—soon enough, her tongue is against yours in a hot, openmouthed kiss. You begin to pick up the pace—slow thrusts grow quicker, though you're still ensuring to keep it soft to let Mina adjust to the stretch. 

"Faster."

At Momo's command, you begin to increase the strength of your thrusts. The claps of your pelvis against Mina's ass are steadily getting louder, just as Mina's moans do as well.

"Takagi, fuck her. Make her scream." Sana crawls next to you, her low whisper next to your ear. The hot breath against your skin has you shuddering. "Look at Mina, moaning like that whenever you stretch her. She loves it, wants it, needs it, even craves for it." Sana's smile is audible in her speech. "So fuck her."

Momo is next—you feel her breasts press against your back, and she grabs you on your hips, her lips just right next to your other ear. You're starting to get dizzy with the pleasure of all three women being this close to you. Sana nibbles your earlobe, and Momo kisses you on the neck, leaving little hickeys trailing. 

"Look at her, look at how you're bulging her tummy. Look at how wide she spreads her legs for you, how much she begs you to fuck her. Come on, fuck her like you mean it."

You finally give in to your baser desires. You send thrust after thrust into Mina, the strength of each snap of your hips only increasing. The young star beneath you cries out in pleasure as she writhes, shakes, trembles at the sensations that course through her. 

"So big, so good, Takagi~!"

Mina's name might as well have been a mantra, with the claps of your body meeting hers keeping the tempo. You're not able to do much of anything else—her tight walls squeeze you just right, the warmth of her body wrapped around your shaft only enhancing the pleasure of sex with her. You only fuck her faster and harder when you have bursts of energy, and when you hear both Sana and Momo join Mina in moaning, you open your eyes to feast on the sight of all three women in pleasure, be it through toys, or you.

"Yes, just like that, fuck her, yes!"

"Mmf, Takagi, keep going~!"

Mina's call for you comes a second later. 

"You heard what Sattang and Momoring said, Takagi. Please use me, fuck me, make me scream!"

With these final instructions, you begin to pound Mina. The other two women clearly appreciate this—they finger themselves harder, moans more drawn-out, and Mina, most of all, loves it. You feel her walls tighten and get wetter around you, and her moans grow in frequency and pitch as she draws closer and closer, the claps of sex louder and louder—

"TakaGI, I'M—!!"

Mina never finishes her sentence—she wails in pleasure instead as she hits her peak. Her hips buck hard, and squirt gushes into the air as your cock falls out of her, twitching hard. You were close, so close, and you grip Mina forcefully by the hips to hilt back into her. The feeling of her squirt gushing against your body paired with the tight squeeze of her walls as well as the friction of penetration causes you to explode deep within her. You freeze as your thick, hot semen paints Mina's walls and womb white, blast after blast of your cum shot deep into the youngest's body. At the same time, Sana and Momo orgasm right next to the both of you, twin jets of squirt showering both you and Mina as you ride out your orgasms. 

When you pull out from Mina, exhausted, you fall onto the stained sheets, uncaring of where you lie. Immediately, your semen bubbles out of Mina's freshly-used cunt and drips down her skin, and both Sana and Momo reach between their youngest's legs to taste your cum. 

"Mm, Takagi, you're delicious…" Sana licks her lips as her eyes twinkle, and Momo only grins at you, her stare just as lustful. 

"Good job, Takagi…"

Both Japanese women tug you, and they lead you to a drier part of the bed. They both take turns making out with you, and you're ready to go in a matter of minutes. 

"I see you're ready~." Momo takes her position as she straddles you and lines your cock up to her cunt. Sana swings a leg over your face, and you know you're in for even more fun. 

The last you remember is Sana and Momo sinking down on you, and at that moment, you swear that Heaven is a place on Earth.

#kpop fanfic #kpop fanfiction #kpop smut #male reader #twice smut #myoui mina smut #hirai momo smut #minatozaki sana smut #sana smut #momo smut

[horrorjapan]

Hello. I think you have been asked this before so I apologize, but I will be traveling to Japan next year. What are some of the best horror related spots to visit? Haunted houses and yokai are things I am especially interested in.

Sure, I can list a few! 

The thing with Japan is that despite how well it serves all sorts of different fandoms, there really isn’t much there for horror fans unless you extend that to include yokai and kaiju. Also, many events in Japan are often seasonal, so sure to see what’s going on about a month before you go. If you’re going in August particularly, expect loads of pop up horror or yokai events! Here are a few permanent attractions… (This is an amended list I’ve posted before with my own photos added).

Hotel Gracery Tokyo & Godzilla Store

If you’re a kaiju fan, the Godzilla store in Shinjuku is a good stop! There are a few Godzilla trinkets in the konbini below too. If you really want to get your Godzilla shop on though you need to head to the Marui Annex which is where the now-permanent Godzilla store is.

Nakano Broadway.

The whole place, but there’s one store on I think the third floor that is 100% ero-guro. Shintaro Kago, Suehiro Maruo, Hideshi Hino, etc, etc. 

Kappa-Bashi.

Basically, a road littered with kappa trinkets and shrines.

Cambiare 

Kind of your typical Golden Gai bar, only it’s based on Dario Argento’s Suspiria! Be aware that you’ll probably have to book in advance as in many of these bars you’ll have a seat eventually reserved for 90 minutes to two hours.

Fuji Q Highland: Saikyo Senritsu Meikyu 

The best haunted house I’ve ever been to by a long shot! The route lasts about an hour (depending on how fast you want to get out of course!) and the entire experience is just really fun. You go through in groups of around 3-5 with only one torch between you which can create some really funny moments. From the gory opening movie to the detailed sets, it’s probably the best horror experience I had in Japan. Fuji Q also has Gegege no Kitaro and Evangelion attractions.

Meguro Parasitological Museum.

Maybe not horror, but a museum displaying various kinds of parasites, it’s weird to say the least, though not very big.

Yokai Street.

This is in Kyoto. There isn’t a huge amount to see unless its one of their market days (which happen once or twice a month), but it definitely has a quaint charm to it. You can pick up some yokai themed food and drink, but be aware that it’s very small. 

Tokyo Joypolis, Odaiba

Usually has around 3 haunted house or horror experiences on the go at any one time. When I went last year the themes were Resident Evil 7, House of the Dead and an attraction about creepy dolls.

#Japan #Japanese horror #Resident Evil #yokai #travel #Tokyo #Kyoto

[caveyellow86]

Japan Blamed Its Nightlife For Coronavirus Outbreaks But Thats Just The Tip Of The Iceberg

Same as the hawks that may try to persuade you into going to their sketchy golf equipment, the “massage? ” folks, as we'll call them, need to ensure you go to their massage parlor. Thing is, therapeutic massage shops don’t open that late, which by now must be the second red flag . These locations are the illegally run therapeutic massage parlors will offer some extra providers once you're inside, which can include a contented ending therapeutic massage, a blowjob, and intercourse. The buildings are usually run down and the facilities terrifying; and while the police might not seem to care if the “massage? ” individuals method you, they will all the time raid the establishment at any time. Surely, you don’t want to end up arrested and kicked out of the country because you wanted a shady massage. Meanwhile, looming over Kabukichō is a statue of Godzilla; the Gracery Hotel presents rooms with a view of his face and roof-top excursions the place you'll find a way to see this icon up-close. /r/JapanTravel is for any and all looking to visit Japan as a vacationer — together with those who have already been. Tokyo has the absolute best quality of food on the earth, that is why you need to visit at least certainly one of its many izakaya's to try a bunch of authentic Japanese dishes, like Eihire , Sakura and Yakitori . Visit izakaya's Umiya or Sumire in Shibuya to get pleasure from these dishes. A tourist favourite, the Golden Gai is a couple of blocks of tremendous tiny Japanese bars, not really a spot to get together however an excellent spot to seize a number of cozy drinks within the evening. By far THE BEST NIGHTCLUB in Tokyo, fairly far from downtown however one hundred pc worth it. Entrance is 3500 YEN ($32 USD) and has the BIGGEST dance flooring in Tokyo, beautiful ladies, awesome dudes and epic music. Popular points of interest close to the accommodation include Nippori South Park, Tokugawa Ietsuna's Mausoleum Gate Plaque and Kuroda Memorial Hall. The nearest airport is Tokyo Haneda International Airport, 19 km from The Barn Tokyo. Sports leisure services, similar to Round 1, provide a wide variety of sports and games beneath one roof. Most of those establishments open until late at evening or stay open for 24 hours. Featured sports, video games and leisure include bowling, darts, billiards, table tennis, karaoke, arcade video games and extra. Those looking for a quiet moment might consider the waterfront space of Odaiba, which presents an opportunity for a nice stroll within the sea breeze, with views of the illuminated Rainbow Bridge. Public Holidays And Annual Events In Japan Both festivals are equally worthwhile, showcasing the inimitable yatai, together with a magical night procession on the first night of each competition. When dusk falls, the floats — led by costumed dancers and musicians — are lit with tons of of lanterns and pulled by way of the streets of Takayama, traversing the town’s picturesque bridges. Unlike most festivals, the Nebuta Matsuri options parades on every evening of the pageant week, aside from the ultimate day, when the parade is held in the afternoon. Obon is a three-day celebration of ancestors' spirits that come home to rest. People go to shrines, temples, and household graves throughout Obon. Like the Tenjin Matsuri, this festival is capped off with a beautiful firework display. The Lion Dance Festival is an annual event held at the Namiyoke Inari Shrine each June. It is a pageant whose origin can be traced again to lots of of years when a divine entity emerged from the ocean to relax the winds and the waves when the individuals began praying to it. It is believed that the entity, which took the type of a lion, winds, and waves, and that is the rationale why lion heads are used symbolically during the celebrations. Other than the lion head parades, the festival also options lots of stalls dealing in meals and varied merchandise lined on either facet along the procession. The Sakura Festival is held yearly between late March and early April and it is a countrywide celebration for the beautiful views of the cherry blossoms. The occasion is another mega crowd-puller in Tokyo, given that it normally has so much to offer in phrases of leisure. Japan’s most famous snow competition takes place yearly and features massive ice sculptures and performances. 室內裝修 is the Japanese new 12 months celebration, and LA provides its personal oshogatsu on the primary day of every year . Each 12 months, festivities embody taiko drumming, folks music and dance, martial arts performances, calligraphy, and even mochi pounding. The Perfect One Month Japan Itinerary And Journey Guide For example, you’ll be guided through an underground labyrinth earlier than being served and entertained by ninjas at Ninja Akasaka. I’d suggest copying the Japanese and choosing up a bento box at the train station to eat on board. These meal packing containers consist of 4 or five compartments which embrace rice, a facet salad and grilled or breaded meat. Children’s varieties also embody an image of Hello Kitty or equal. So that can help you plan your journey, we’ve compiled a quick however complete list of our favorite family-friendly actions in Japan. Along with ensuring your youngsters have a good time, it’s a significantly better experience for all if the adults are really enjoying themselves as nicely. Japan is an intellectually curious child’s dream, with a beguiling fashionable yet conventional culture, and interesting current and ancient history. Like Keiko above says, it isn’t a secure country in a method, however a secure country only for the folks working within the government. Also, there’re dangerous folks on the market however more terrible are the police, who just stops you for nothing and illegally arrest you. The police can cease you but answering to what they say is by legislation OPTIONAL, however they are saying that it is MANDATORY. Never contact cops or make jokes to them, as they won’t understand and take every thing very seriously. They won’t pummel you however will encompass you and never allow you to leave with out arresting you for false accusations which will simply lead your pleased trip to a tragic conversation with a cellmate. It's finest to avoid transit during those hours if attainable, which means you'll find a way to simply take that point to grab breakfast or dinner and chill out. Spring and Fall are some really helpful times of 12 months to travel, as a result of Summer in Japan (June - September) is scorching and very humid. In smaller kids and babies, dehydration is normally a actual concern and lead to some points you might not have been anticipating. As a general rule, hold a listing of English talking hospitals out there, either written in-hand or in your phone, in case your child begins experiencing the consequences of dehydration. If a Summertime journey is unavoidable, frequent stops to chill off and rehydrate are a should, and ought to be deliberate as stops on the itinerary. Take A Breather In Tokyos 10 Finest Parks And Gardens These gardens highlight the magnificence of nature, avoiding artificial, man-made parts wherever possible. The first of those gardens started to be built on the island of Honshu around 600 A.D. Bike rent is available at this visitor house and the world is popular for cycling. Oedo Onsen Monogatari is eight km from HISAYO'S INN, while Fuji TV Odaiba is 9 km from the property. On the spacious grounds is Japan's first factory, the Shoko Shuseikan, which is open as a museum, displaying the Shimazu family treasures and the clan's early attempt at industrial production. Kairaku-en Garden in Mito in Ibaraki Prefecture, round one hour north of Tokyo by specific practice, is considered one of Japan's massive three panorama gardens. The other two being Kenroku-en in Kanazawa and Koraku-en in Okayama. Gardens in Japan have lengthy been thought to be an necessary art form that’s important to life. This three.5-acre backyard contains a style developed within the late-16th to early-17th centuries generally identified as stroll gardens. Following a winding path round a central pond, stroll gardens invite visitors to journey by way of the varied landscapes of Japan – mountains, forests, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, islands and the sea. Japanese structure doesn’t get extra genuine than the Shofuso Japanese House in Philadelphia, which was in-built Nagoya, Japan, and transplanted to its current location in 1953. Today the home is surrounded by a number of excellent examples of Japanese backyard design, together with a courtyard backyard, and huge hill backyard, and an enthralling tea garden. Japan Post-apocalyptic.Whether or not the apocalyptic events of World War II have been the crucible for modern Japanese pop culture, the conflict actually prompted a reinvention of the country. After the war, the US occupied Japan and instituted a quantity of political and social reforms, together with creating a brand new structure and insurance policies meant to make Japan more democratic. Japanese colleges started to instruct students in democratic values, and when the Korean War began in 1950, UN forces used Japan as their primary provide base, refashioning the nation as an ally of the West. This article, from the magazine Foreign Policy, explores how, regardless of its current economic recession, Japan has reinvented itself as a cultural superpower. Thus, for , is a gorgeous commodity and engages through diplomatic channels so as to attain . Hence, represents an article of soppy energy; it doesn't coerce, but co-opts to engage with on the basis that's attractive to . I would therefore argue that it is potential that states can have soft energy sources outside those which Nye advanced; insofar as the potential delicate energy source is engaging and influences one other state by co-opting it to alter its behaviour. In the center of Old Town in San Diego, somewhat nook shop named GUNNZO is crammed with brightly-colored characters and fashions. Tokidoki, Figuarts minis and Gundam may not ring a bell for some, however they’re all part of mainstream pop culture in Japan and they’re rapidly making their means into millions of U.S. households. The anime developed in Japan during the 1960s, because of the work of Osamu Tezuka specifically, and was exported abroad the following decade. Today, one of the in style masters of animation is undoubtedly Hayao Miyazaki and his staff at Studio Ghibli. Manga has a rich historical past that could be dated again to the twelfth Century; all through time the themes changed. Nowadays, there are lots of completely different genres within manga, and it isn't simple to define; manga has because it has many kinds as it has artists.

We know from the American remake of this movie, that there are numerous methods to assume about Godzilla and what he did, but the context of the creation of Godzilla in Japan was maybe completely different than what we might most frequently suppose. Students will understand the history and diversity of Japanese popular tradition creations. Two Massachusetts boys exhibit their Pokémon playing cards in 1999.Japanese animation, or anime, is now certainly one of Japan’s most powerful cultural exports and a leading force in shaping Japan’s picture outside its borders. Series corresponding to Dragon Ball Z and Sailor Moon helped it catch hold in the Nineteen Nineties, and right now it’s in style enough to be on the frontlines of the battle between streaming companies. Once hard-to-find shows such as Neon Genesis Evangelion are now out there to Netflix viewers. A Virtual Tour Of Japans Most Stunning Spots Some different popular tours embody our Kyoto Gardens Tour, which contains a go to to Ryoanji Temple. For one thing slightly different strive our Japanese Tea Ceremony or Kyoto at Night Tour. However you method it, our personal and small group guided tours in Kyoto and experience combine to assist put the vibrant metropolis into Context. From high mountain peaks reflected in the floor of calm, crystal lakes to the decrease elevations at the Kurobe Dam and the famous website of the snow corridor, this route is certain to be unforgettably beautiful. Our Hokkaido lavender tours showcase the best spots to take pleasure in lavender magnificence throughout its flowering season. Take a Japan trip to Farm Tomita in Furano, known as one of the best locations in Japan to see spectacular backdrops of lavender. Our lavender excursions will also take you to a small city known as Biei, overlapping with picturesque hills, huge fields, and the popular Panorama Road. Near Gion is Kyoto's Nishiki Market, where guests can sample traditional Japanese cuisine, generally recognized as washoku, including meals like pickled greens, squid and quail eggs, and Japanese tea sweets. Immerse yourself in Kyoto's many delights with Context's personal and small group guided tours. Best Meals Markets In Tokyo And that makes Japan all of the extra fascinating from an AI and robotics perspective. Japan has some of the world’s greatest robotics makers, and truly, the job market is tight. Any mergers & acquisitions deal gets shown to the trading companies first, and they're an enormous supply of data. The relationship with the trading firms allows Buffet to get a have a look at all the deals, and Buffett is struggling to find deals and doubtless that is what he's after. We are speaking about USD 5–6bn, which is not a giant funding for him, and he cut up it between half a dozen corporations instead of investing into a single one, which implies he desires to look at all of that deal flow. If the valuation had been unbelievable, or he actually appreciated a specific firm, he would have picked one. Sometimes we now have seen action as a result of activist habits, but in the wrong way. As I sit and promote our wares, I'll inform you what it is like from our sq. of floor from the sellers perspective, and see if I can concentrate for what may be particularly Japanese about it. The next opening date of the market is published on the righthand facet of their official web site . The subsequent date of the market is revealed on the righthand side of their official website . The entrance charge to this flea market is 500 yen (please check present information available on the market's web site to confirm). At these occasions, you'll find distinctive products in addition to converse and work together closely with shopkeepers. In this text, we’ll introduce data on 9 different local markets occurring in Tokyo. The closest one is more doubtless to get to Tsukiji in Kansai is Osaka’s Central Fish Market. It was created by way of land reclamation on the Tokyo Bay, and the area was subsequently named Tsukiji (築地), that means "constructed land" or "reclaimed land". Well organized, picturesque and overflowing with secondhand arts, crafts and vintage clothing, Japan’s flea markets are a few of the greatest on the planet. [newline]From the kimono-filled markets of Kyoto to Tokyo’s ceramic-centric haunts, Japan Objects presents a variety of the country’s best flea markets. From April 2021, the organizers of the Tokyo Romantic Market shall be operating the Tokyo Skytree Market, too. Also generally identified as “Skytree Nominoichi”, this new Tokyo flea market is anticipated to happen almost every weekend, on each Saturdays and Sundays. And from November 2021, one other version will open in Ariake Garden Park. Head to one of these food markets in Tokyo and seize a loopy deal on the freshest seafood, scope out the cheesiest obligatory keychain, then purchase some locally-grown fruit directly from the farmer. Japanese Tea Backyard Outdoor Actions For a bit more cash, it comes with a espresso drink and a slice of the cake of the day. Dotted with ancient Buddhist relics, vegetarian eateries, and temples that enable guests to spend the night time, Koyasan is a peaceful escape from Japan’s major cities. Tokyo is home to sumo stables, which is where the wrestlers practice and reside. And if you’re lucky, you'll find a way to sit in on considered one of their morning practices. Night illuminations at Kiyomizu-dera in KyotoIn the spring cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons some temples open at evening. They are beautifully illuminated, sometimes characteristic special gentle reveals, and it feels like a different experience visiting at midnight. We especially loved night time visits to Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji in Kyoto. Although I choose it early within the morning, hiking it at night time feels extra adventurous with a barely spooky environment (watch out for wild boars!). My favorite shrine in Japan and some of the popular issues to do in Kyoto is the distinctive Fushimi Inari. At Ninja Shinjuku a small robot in the corner begins to talk to you as a sliding door opens and leads you down a slender hallway. Shoji doorways open and lead you to a small room the place dinner is served. You can’t totally perceive the depth of the sumo wrestling sport except you're up close and personal at an intense morning apply session to witness the panting, grunting and dripping sweat. It’s onerous to explain TeamLab Borderless, you really have to experience it. The digital art museum is an immersive world the place the artwork has no boundaries. Once a half of a large complex that coated an space of some forty seven,000 sq. meters, this lovely citadel still impresses with its size and its position on a tall basis overlooking the Naka River. Built in 1586 by well-known Japanese warrior and politician Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Osaka Castle (Ōsaka-jō) was on the time the largest and most essential fortress within the country. Although destroyed and rebuilt a variety of occasions since, the current construction, in-built 1931, remains true to the unique. In addition to its many historic streets, the city boasts numerous important old temples. Dating from the eighth century, the vast majority of the shrine's buildings rise out of the waters of a small bay supported solely by piles. The impact at excessive tide is solely stunning, making these structures - including the famous Great Floating Gate (O-Torii) - seem as in the event that they're floating on water. #asmr Japan For that purpose, I included several shrines on my 2 week Japan itinerary. Even although I visited many Shinto shrines on that first trip to Japan, I nonetheless make some extent to see extra each time I return to the country. You can take photographs on the temple grounds, but usually not within the buildings. Kyoto has many unbelievable Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples and this is considered one of the causes it tops our listing of one of the best locations to go to in Japan. Buddhism was brought from India by way of China and Korea within the 6th century. The fundamental philosophy is that suffering is inherent in life and that one can be liberated from it by cultivating knowledge, advantage, and focus. There are so many temples in Kyoto that it may be overwhelming deciding which ones to visit. My advice is don’t attempt to do all of it and to combine a few popular temples with quieter, less well-known ones that you can get pleasure from without the crowds. An extant instance of the syncretic fusion of Buddhism and Shinto is Seiganto-ji, a part of the Kumano Sanzan shrine advanced. The design of the buildings and even the thatch roof are extremely developed for this. When there are rains, the thatch roof will get heavier, weighing down the wood joinery and making it water-tight. In the dry season, it gets lighter and the gaps between the wooden are allowed to breathe again, avoiding mildew. These are wood plaques in which you'll write your needs and then grasp them to be received by the god. These paper fortunes predict whether or not you will enjoy good or bad time in all aspect of your lifetime of the upcoming years, similar to education, relationship, travel, health, career, needs and so on. Info On Collections Of Japanese Art Housing over one hundred,000 pieces of Japanese historical past, the Tokyo National Museum is a must for Japanese history followers. You can spend a complete day right here, or take the shorter tour we have outlined on this article. The Museum’s Asian assortment contains greater than 25,000 objects, most of which had been bought by or donated to the Museum in the early twentieth century . It is a historic and cultural useful resource with imaginative displays, interactivity, and user-friendliness. Its exhibitions embrace Regular Exhibitions made up of works from the museum's collections and deposited articles from temples or shrines, and Special Exhibitions which are large-scale exhibitions based mostly on a certain theme. Tokyo has an abundance of museums, giving glances into Japan's wealthy and numerous historical past, ranging from artifacts of the Jomon interval to delicate screens and lacquered packing containers within the Rinpa-style, favored by residents of the Edo interval. Zenko Adachi believed that “The garden can additionally be a picture”, and he himself went all around the nation to amass rocks, pine bushes and different examples of nature. Among the 6 gardens, the Dry Landscape Garden and the White Gravel and Pine Garden are particularly popular. The elegant Dry Landscape Garden with its white sand and powerful association of stones is like one thing out of an India-ink portray. And the scenery of flowing gravel at the tasteful White Gravel and Pine Garden takes on the motif of one of Yokoyama’s works, “Beautiful Pine Beach”. The second feature is based on the concept of renovating abandoned historic buildings, including factories and practice stations. These buildings have excessive ceilings and massive spaces, therefore assembly the frequent exhibition space wants. Transforming the deserted buildings into cultural institutions offers them new life, due to this fact promoting the concept of recycling and inspiring innovative concepts. The Hara Museum of Contemporary Art was established 1979 in Tokyo's Shinagawa ward and is among the first museums dedicated to modern artwork in Japan. This museum has a curious assortment of contemporary art, and displays work, sculptures, movies and installations by Japanese and international artists. Aside from providing an efficient means of studying, museums are a good way to spend time with family and friends. This is the only museum in Tokyo, targeted completely on western artists, and it boasts works by Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Rubens, and Van Gogh. And whereas the artwork alone is impressive sufficient, the architecture and exterior grounds of the museum are particularly stunning. Some of the exhibits include the stuffed physique of Hachiko and two famous pandas, a fragment of the Nantan meteorite that hit China within the sixteenth century, a mummy from Japan's Edo interval, and an authentic World War II fighter plane. Japanese Restaurant Las Vegas Kyushu Western culture was first launched to Japan by way of Kyushu, Japan's third largest island, where the affect of Portuguese and other western delicacies influenced the creation of a colourful culinary custom. Northern Honshu The northern finish of Japan's primary island, Honshu, is renowned for its seasonal fruit and greens, nation-leading harvest of fish. Near Tokyo Coastal areas, mountains and valleys surrounding Tokyo are bursting with vacationer locations, such as hot springs and ski slopes, the place many unique foods are only obtainable regionally. Tokyo Area Japan's largest city, Tokyo, is the middle of culinary culture in Japan. Their is made with mozzarella di bufala, which is thought even in Italy as a top-class ingredient. Like earlier than, on this case you probably can both order food as regular or just say “ありません” (arimasen – nothing). A completely different sort of situation that you simply may come throughout is the dreaded case that something you ordered is bought out. For instance, if your favorite food curry has somehow run out, your server will approach your table and say “申し訳ありません。 Like a standard Japanese ramen-ya, this slim, below-street-level noodle joint is designed for fast meals. The specialty here is paitan ramen, a creamy, chicken-based variation of Japan’s famous tonkotsu broth. Totto's rendition is a flavorful, opaque soup bobbing with thin, straight noodles and slow-cooked pork ridged with satiny fats. This "no outside meals or drinks allowed" rule might surprise guests, especially these from different Asian nations. It is taken into account rude and not permitted at most restaurants, cafes, and bars. All-you-can-eat/drink service is very frequent at izakaya, yakiniku and sushi eating places. What To Purchase In Tokyo They make for a fairly unique and pure souvenir from Japan. We totally respect if you need to refuse cookies however to avoid asking you many times kindly permit us to retailer a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or choose in for different cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we'll remove all set cookies in our domain. If you’re a fan of glass jewelry and ornamentation specifically, the artists you’ll discover here will blow you away. And if you would like to see just how ingenious the world of modern jewellery is, check out these Incredible Handmade Jewelry Designers. Sheet face masks modified the skincare scene internationally and it’s never been simpler to have a spa-like facial experience proper at house. Thanks to this popularity you’ll discover lots of of sheetmasks on Japanese cabinets with key ingredients which range from rice, to vitamin-c, collagen, and charcoal. If you’ve at all times had hassle discovering a sunscreen that works with your skin, it’s doubtless that Japan has you covered. Japanese souvenirs are so varied and high-quality that even probably the most restrained traveler will battle to depart with out an extra bag of goodies. This is a rustic with a number of the greatest crafts, cosmetics, and delicacies on the planet so don’t miss out this collection of the best issues to buy in Japan. Best of all, their guidelines are intertwined with tradition and heritage too. That simply means you’d be experiencing the Land of the Rising Sun every time you play. In recent years, nevertheless, many economical, mass-produced versions have gone on sale, these typically no quite a lot of hundred yen. While the handiwork is incomparable to the masterpieces, they nonetheless suffice as long as you’re not too fussy. Once broadly feared, Yokai, or supernatural creatures, at the moment are beloved throughout the nation. Onsen Make positive you are correctly hydrated and rested before you go to the onsen. As talked about above, you will be dropping lots of liquids by way of dehydration. If not, they are most likely be available for buy on the entrance. You can simply bring a change of garments, so no need to come back prepared! If you’re staying at a Japanese inn with an Onsen, you can become the Yukata supplied in your room, or are available regular clothes. Even should you vow not to take photos of different bathers, this may be a privateness infringement and can get you into severe bother if caught. [newline]If you insist on taking photographs, go for staying a room with private Onsen or renting out an Onsen in your personal enjoyment. Located within the steamy town of Yugawara, not removed from the scenic Fudotaki Falls is the place you may discover The Ryokan Tokyo Yugawara. It's a stylish ryokan facility that infuses modern-day comforts with classic Japanese design. Think tatami rooms with sliding shoji paper doors and designer furnishings. If you like a view together with your bath, you won’t do any better than this easy rotemburo perched high on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Of course, if you don’t mind a crowd, it’s an excellent place to observe the sundown. From the distinct fragrance and antibacterial property, Japanese Cypress is another necessary a part of Onsen culture. There are also bathtub salts that combine each onsen minerals and natural medication. This space incorporates over 2,300 sizzling springs, and the shoreline presents some beautiful scenery and fairly beaches. Many can be discovered at the ryokans out there on Japanese Guest Houses. Near the Sanmon gate, you’ll find many excellent soba noodle shops. The facilities are surrounded by lush bushes and creeping vines, making it really feel like a secret hideout, worlds away from the super-charged power of nearby Tokyo. Ōedo Onsen Monogatari Located on the synthetic island of Odaiba out in Tokyo Bay, this big super onsen is modelled on an Edo period city. There is a huge variety of tubs, including outside tubs, in addition to eating places, rest rooms and outlets.

#PBN-5000

[thesmithsfiend]

GOLDEN AGE OF LOONEY TUNES REFERENCE GUIDE

Golden AGE Of Looney Tunes  Volume 1 Disc #1 Side 1:    •    Smile, Darn Ya, Smile! (1931)      •    Shuffle Off to Buffalo (1933)      •    Page Miss Glory (1936)      •    I Love to Singa (1936)      •    Have You Got Any Castles? (1938)      •    Speaking of the Weather (1937)      •    Katnip Kollege (1938)   Disc #1 Side 2:    •    The Wild Hare (1940)      •    Daffy Duck and Egghead (1938)      •    Odor-Able Kitty (1945)      •    A Tale of Two Kitties (1942)      •    I Haven't Got a Hat (1935)      •    Life with Feathers (1945)      •    Walky Talky Hawky (1946)   Disc #2 Side 1:    •    Cinderella Meets Fella (1938)      •    Hamateur Night (1939)      •    Thugs With Dirty Mugs (1939)      •    Cross Country Detours (1940)      •    Dangerous Dan McFoo (1939)      •    The Bear’s Tale (1940)      •    The Crackpot Quail (1941)   Disc #2 Side 2:    •    Wabbit Twouble (1941)      •    Horton Hatches the Egg (1942)      •    The Hep Cat (1942)      •    A Corny Concerto (1943)      •    Kitty Kornered (1946)      •    The Great Piggy Bank Robbery (1946)      •    The Big Snooze (1946)   Disc #3 Side 1:    •    The Night Watchman (1938)      •    Old Glory (1939)      •    Sniffles Takes a Trip (1940)      •    The Dover Boys (At Pimento University) (1942)      •    My Favorite Duck (1942)      •    The Aristo-Cat (1943)      •    Inki at the Circus (1947)   Disc #3 Side 2:    •    Rhapsody in Rivets (1941)      •    Pigs in a Polka (1942)      •    Little Red Riding Rabbit (1944)      •    Duck Soup to Nuts (1944)      •    Hare Trigger (1945)      •    Back Alley Oproar (1948)      •    Tweetie Pie (1947)   Disc #4 Side 1:    •    The Heckling Hare (1941)      •    Hare Tonic (1945)      •    Hare Ribbin? (1944)      •    Bugs Bunny Nips the Nips (1944)      •    A Hare Grows in Manhattan (1947)      •    The Unruly Hare (1945)      •    Gorilla My Dreams (1948)   Disc #4 Side 2:    •    Nasty Quacks (1945)      •    Hair-Raising Hare (1946)      •    The Bashful Buzzard (1945)      •    Daffy Doodles (1946)      •    Little Orphan Airedale (1947)      •    Baby Bottleneck (1946)      •    Book Revue (1946)   Disc #5 Side 1:    •    The Coo Coo Nut Grove (1936)      •    Daffy Duck in Hollywood (1938)      •    Hollywood Steps Out (1941)      •    What's Cookin' Doc? (1944)      •    Hollywood Daffy (1946)      •    Swooner Crooner (1944)      •    Slick Hare (1947)   Disc #5 Side 2:    •    Tortoise Beats Hare (1941)      •    Tortoise Wins by a Hare (1943)      •    Rabbit Transit (1947)      •    Bugs Bunny Gets the Boid (1942)      •    The Old Grey Hare (1944)      •    Bugs Bunny Rides Again (1948)      •    Haredevil Hare (1948)  

GOLDEN AGE OF LOONEY TUNES VOLUME 2

Disc #1 Side 1 - Musical Madness:

   You Don't Know What You're Doin'! (1931) *    Goopy Geer (1932) *    Three's a Crowd (1932) *    We're in the Money (1933)    Honeymoon Hotel (1934)    The Lady in Red (1935)    The Penguin Parade (1938)

Disc #1 Side 2 - Early Wabbits:

   Prest-O Change-O (1939)    Hare-um Scare-um (1939)    Elmer's Candid Camera (1940)    Elmer's Pet Rabbit (1941)    Hiawatha's Rabbit Hunt (1941)    Hold the Lion, Please (1942)    Fresh Hare (1942)

Disc #2 Side 1 - Frank Tashlin:

   The Major Lied 'Til Dawn (1938)    Cracked Ice (1938)    Brother Brat (1944)    Plane Daffy (1944)    A Tale of Two Mice (1945)    Behind the Meat-Ball (1945)    Hare Remover (1946)

Disc #2 Side 2 - Chuck Jones:

   The Little Lion Hunter (1939)    The Draft Horse (1942)    Flop Goes the Weasel (1943)    Lost and Foundling (1944)    Fair and Worm-er (1946)    What's Brewin', Bruin? (1948)    Rabbit Punch (1948)

Disc #3 Side 1 - Bob Clampett:

   Goofy Groceries (1941)    The Wacky Wabbit (1942) *    Buckaroo Bugs (1944) *    An Itch in Time (1943) *    The Gruesome Twosome (1967) *    Draftee Daffy (1945) *    Bacall to Arms (1946) *

Disc #3 Side 2 - McKimson & Davis:

   Acrobatty Bunny (1946) *    Hollywood Canine Canteen (1946) *    The Mouse-Merized Cat (1946) *    One Meat Brawl (1947) *    Mexican Joyride (1947) *    Mouse Menace (1946) *    Catch as Cats Can (1947) *

Disc #4 Side 1 - Fables & Fairy Tales:

   Beauty and the Beast (1934) *    Little Red Walking Hood (1937) *    A-Lad-In Bagdad (1938) *    Robin Hood Makes Good (1939) *    Tom Thumb in Trouble (1940) *    A Gander at Mother Goose (1940) *    Jack-Wabbit and the Beanstalk (1943) *

Disc #4 Side 2 - The Art of Daffy:

   Yankee Doodle Daffy (1943) *    The Wise Quacking Duck (1943) *    Daffy - The Commando (1943) *    The Stupid Cupid (1944) *    Birth of a Notion (1947) *    To Duck....or not To Duck (1943) *    What Makes Daffy Duck (1948) *

Disc #5 Side 1 - Best Supporting Players:

   The Hardship of Miles Standish (1940) *    Hop, Look, and Listen (1948) *    Roughly Squeaking (1946) *    The Goofy Gophers (1947) *    Scent-imental Over You (1947) *    Crowing Pains (1947) *    Of Fox and Hounds (1940) *

Disc #5 Side 2 - Variations on a Theme:

   Tick Tock Tuckered (1944) *    Good Night Elmer (1940) *    Bedtime for Sniffles (1940) *    A Pest in the House (1947) *    Trap Happy Porky (1945) *    The Unbearable Bear (1943) *    Daffy Duck Slept Here (1948) *

GOLDEN AGE OF LOONEY TUNES VOLUME 3

Disc #1 Side 1 - Harman-Ising:

   One More Time    Red-Headed Baby    Pagen Moon    A Great Big Bunch of You    The Shanty Where Santy Claus Lives    One Step Ahead of My Shadow    The Dish Ran Away With the Spoon

Disc #1 Side 2 - Bugs Bunny:

   Wackiki Wabbit    Hare Force    Super-Rabbit    Herr Meets Hare    Bugs Bunny and the Three Bears    Stage Door Cartoon    Easter Yeggs

Disc #2 Side 1 - Chuck Jones:

   The Squawkin' Hawk    Inki and the Mynah Bird    From Hand to Mouse    Fin N' Catty    Fresh Airedale    The Eager Beaver    House-Hunting Mice

Disc #2 Side 2 - Fritz Freleng:

   Pigs is Pigs    The Cat's Tale    Lights Fantastic    Ding Dog Daddy    The Wacky Worm    Peck Up Your Troubles    Racketeer Rabbit

Disc #3 Side 1 - Early Avery:

   I Wanna Be a Sailor    Circus Today    Aviation Vacation    Aloha Hooey    Holiday Highlights    Crazy Cruise    The Cagey Canary

Disc #3 Side 2 - Tashlin/Clampett:

   Little Pancho Vanilla    Booby Hatched    I Got Plenty of Mutton    Farm Frolics    Falling Hare    Birdy and the Beast    Russian Rhapsody

Disc #4 Side 1 - Sports:

   Freddy the Freshman    Boulevardier From the Bronx    Along Flirtation Walk    Sport Chumpions    Greetings Bait    Screwball Football    Baseball Bugs

Disc #4 Side 2 - The Evolution of Egghead:

   Egghead Rides Again    Count Me Out    Johnny Smith and Poker Hontas    A Day at the Zoo    Believe It, or Else    A Feud There Was    Confederate Honey

Disc #5 Side 1 - Porky and Daffy:

   Daffy Duck and the Dinosaur    Slightly Daffy    Ain't That Ducky    Wagon Heels    Along Came Daffy    Nothing But the Tooth    The Up-Standing Sitter

Disc #5 Side 2 - Politically Incorrect:

   Wake Up the Gypsy in Me    He Was Her Man    Sioux Me    The Mighty Hunters    A Feather in His Hare    The Early Worm Gets the Bird    Inki and the Lion

GOLDEN AGE OF LOONEY TUNES VOLUME 4

Disc #1 Side 1 - Bugs Bunny:

   The Wabbit Who Came to Supper    The Hare-Brained Hypnotist    The Case of the Missing Hare    Hare Conditioned    Buccaneer Bunny    Rhapsody Rabbit    Any Bonds Today?    A Wild Hare - original version

Disc #1 Side 2 - Early Chuck Jones:

   The Good Egg    Ghost Wanted    Snow Time For Comedy    The Bird Came C.O.D.    Dog Tired    Fox Pop    The Weakly Reporter

Disc #2 Side 1 - Friz Freleng:

   The Trial of Mr. Wolf    Double Chaser    The Sheepish Wolf    Hiss and Make Up    Holiday for Shoestrings    The Gay Anties    Of Thee I Sting

Disc #2 Side 2 - Cartoon All-Stars:

   Tom Turk and Daffy    I Taw a Putty Tat    Two Gophers From Texas    Conrad the Sailor    Doggone Cats    A Horsefly Fleas    Hobo Bobo

Disc #3 Side 2 - Radio Daze:

   Crosby, Columbo, and Vallee    The Woods are Full of Cuckoos    Let It Be Me    Little Blabbermouse    Malibu Beach Party    Quentin Quail    Hush My Mouse

Disc #3 Side 2 - Frantic Forties:

   Hop, Skip, and a Chump    A Hick, a Slick, and a Chick    Meatless Flyday    The Foxy Duckling    Bone Sweet Bone    The Rattled Rooster    The Shell-Shocked Egg

Disc #4 Side 1 - Wacky Blackouts:

   Land of the Midnight Fun    Wacky Wildlife    Ceiling Hero    Fresh Fish    Saddle Silly    Foney Fables    Bug Parade

Disc #4 Side 2 - Ben Hardaway & Cal Dalton (and Private Snafu):

   Love and Curses    Gold Rush Daze    Bars and Stripes Forever    Hobo Gadget Band    Fagin's Freshman    Busy Bakers    Snafuperman    Spies

Disc #5 Side 1 - Sniffles:

   Naughty But Mice    Little Brother Rat    Sniffles and the Bookworm    The Egg Collector    Sniffles Bells the Cat    Toy Trouble    Brave Little Bat

Disc #5 Side 2 - Merrie Melodies:

   The Queen Was in the Parlor    I Love a Parade    The Organ Grinder    Billboard Frolics    Flowers For Madame    September in the Rain    You're an Education

           GOLDEN AGE OF LOONEY TUNES VOLUME 5

Disc #1 Side 1 - Black & White Classics:

   It's Got Me Again! (1932)    Moonlight for Two (1932)    A Great Big Bunch of You (1932)    You're Too Careless with Your Kisses (1932)    I Wish I Had Wings (1932)    Young and Healthy (1933)    I Like Mountain Music (1933)

Disc #1 Side 2 - Early Avery:

   don't look now    i only have eyes for you    ain't we got fun    a sunbonnet blue    the sneezing weasel    the mice will play    detouring america

Disc #2 Side 1 - Freleng Follies:

   she was an acrobat's daughter    sweet sioux    the lyin' mouse    my little buckeroo    the fighting 69 1/2th    rookie revue    fifth column mouse

Disc #2 Side 2 - Musical Madness:

   the merry old soul    mr. and mrs. is the name    into your dance    country mouse    bingo crosbyana    the fella with a fiddle    now that summer is gone

Disc #3 Side 2 - Pesky Pets:

   the cat came back    country boy    dog daze    dog gone modern    the curious puppy    stage fright    snowman's land

Disc #3 Side 2 - Objects d'art:

   those beautiful dames    little dutch plate    i'd love to take orders from you    toy town hall    my green fedora    streamlined greta green    shop, look & listen

Disc #4 Side 1 - Animal Antics:

   pop goes your heart    i wanna play house    i'm a big shot now    when i yoo hoo    at your service madame    a star is hatched    plenty of money and you

Disc #4 Side 2 - Supplemental material (CAV):

   hare ribbin' (director's cut)    the return of mr. hook (U.S. Navy)    the good egg ( U.S. Navy)    tokyo woes (U.S. Navy)    my dream is yours (excerpt from film)    two guys from texas (excerpt from film)

[tamboradventure]

30 Things to See and Do in Tokyo

Posted: 11/23/2019 | November 23rd, 2019

Tokyo is an incredible, massive city home to over 10 million people. It’s the capital of Japan and home to a wide array of fun, historic, and quirky attractions. From the world’s largest tuna auction and the Imperial Palace to robot restaurants and vampire cafés, Tokyo really does have something for everyone.

Whether you’re here for a short stopover or living here as an expat, you’ll be able to find plenty of ways to pass the time and get a feel for the organized chaos that is Tokyo. To help you make the most out of your trip, here are the best things to see and do in Tokyo:  

1. Visit the Fish Market

The Tsukiji Fish Market was one of the most iconic staples of the city. In 2018, the market moved to Toyosu and is now twice the size of the original Tsukiji market. In fact, the new market is the largest fish market in the entire world. While you’ll need a visitor’s pass to enter (you can get one on arrival) the pass is free (which means you’ll have more money to spend on sushi!)

There are over 600 vendors here selling fresh fish as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. Gorge on sushi and marvel at the chaotic atmosphere of the world’s largest tuna market. The tuna auction here powers much of the world’s sushi supply, and it is truly a sight to be seen. You can also see a model of the largest tuna ever sold at Tsujiki — which weighed 500kg (1,100lbs!).

In addition to the new market, the old outer market at Tsukiji still has plenty of restaurants and shops. You can still head there to eat and look around, though all the action is now at Toyosu. Be sure to arrive early to beat the crowds (especially on Saturdays).

Tsukiji Fish Market: 5 Chome-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo, [phone]. Admission is free. Toyosu Fish Market: 6 Chome-6-2 Toyosu, Koto, [phone]. Open Monday-Saturday from 5am-5pm, though most shops don’t open until 7am. Admission is free.  

2. Explore by the Imperial Palace

The Imperial Palace is the official home of the Emperor of Japan. It’s a terrific spot to learn about Japan’s history and culture. Formerly Edo Castle, the palace was built in the 15th century, and some of the walls and moats from that time are still in use to this day. When the Emperor moved from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1869, he took Edo for his new palace and renamed it the Imperial Palace.

You can’t go inside (or even get super close), however, the building itself is both regal and serene and a great place to relax or snap some photos. The palace is surrounded by beautiful grounds and a park, and there’s a moat around the massive stone walls. Admission to the grounds is free.  

3. Experience a Tea Ceremony

No visit to Japan is complete without experiencing a traditional tea ceremony. Tea was brought to Japan in the 9th century by a Buddhist monk and by the 12th century, the ceremony began to take shape. While these ceremonies are usually long (not to mention expensive), there are plenty of budget-friendly options for anyone looking to experience one without breaking the bank. Here are a few budget-friednly tea ceremonies in Tokyo worth checking out:

Kyoto-kan (500 JPY per person, Yanmar Tokyo Building 1F 2-1-1)

Nadeshiko (2,700-4,400 JPY per person, 2-7-24-2F Asakusa)

The Way of Tea (5,500 JPY per person, Coredo Muromachi 3 3F)

  4. Relax in Ueno Park

Ueno Park is a relaxing and beautiful spot to relax for a few hours (or an entire day if you’re not in a rush). It’s a serene spot to photograph the many cherry trees that line the park (which blossom in April and are a huge tourist draw) or to have a picnic on a sunny summer afternoon.

There are also a few important things to see in the park as well. Here are a few sights in the park you should make time to visit:

Tokyo National Museum – Established in 1872, this museum is located in the north end of the park and houses one of the world’s largest collections of art and artifacts from Asia, particularly Japan. 13-9 Uenokoen, Taito, [phone], tnm.jp. Open daily 9:30am-5pm (8pm on most Fridays). Admission is 620 JPY.

Tosho-gu Shrine – This is a 17th-century Shinto shrine with stunning gold doors and ornate carvings. 9-88 Uenokoen, Taito, [phone], uenotoshogu.com/en. Open daily 9am-5:30pm. Admission is free, though to go further into the shrine, you’ll have to pay 500 JPY.

National Museum of Western Art – Opened in 1959, this is one of the only art galleries in the country to focus on Western art. The collection is comprised of 5,000 pieces, dating from the Renaissance all the way to the 20th century. There are works by Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, and Picasso as well as sculptures dating back to the 14th century.7-7 Uenokoen, [phone] , nmwa.go.jp. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9:30am-5:30pm (8pm on Fridays). Admission is 500 JPY for adults, 250 for college students, and free for seniors and anyone under 18.

  5. Eat at the Robot Restaurant

This restaurant, literally called Robot Restaurant, is an absolute sensory overload. it has lasers, robots, monsters, music, dancing and much, much more! Sure, it may be a bit of a tourist trap (aka it’s not cheap), but it is an epic dining experience unlike anything you’ve ever seen. It’s definitely worth the price if you want to do something completely out of the ordinary — and something decidedly Japanese.

1 Chome-7-1 Kabukicho, [phone], shinjuku-robot.com/pc. There are three performances a day on weekdays starting at 4:45pm, with afternoon matinees on weekends.  

6. Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum

This small museum used to be the official residence of the Prince and Princess Asaka. Built in 1933, the building itself was influenced by the art deco movement in Paris. The prince had studied in Paris and wanted to bring the art deco style to Japan, hence the building’s style and decorations. In 1983, the residence transitioned into a museum and is now home to a rotating series of modern art exhibitions. See their website for information on what exhibits are available.

5-21-9 Shirokanedai, [phone], teien-art-museum.ne.jp/en. Open daily 10am-6pm. Admission is 200 JPY, with discounts available for students, children, and seniors.  

7. Stroll Along the Meguro River

The Meguro River weaves almost five miles through the city and makes for a magnificent stroll. There’s a path with a bit of green space that follows the water, so plenty of locals walk or exercise there. In the spring, you’ll be able to see a lot of cherry blossoms as you walk along the banks of the river as well.

While the walk is nice at any time of year, late March to early April is when the cherry blossoms will be in bloom. While there will be a lot of people then (cherry blossom viewing is a national pastime) you’ll be rewarded with some beautiful scenery in the heart of the metropolis.  

8. Check out Asakusa

If you want to check out some of Tokyo’s historic and culturally-significant religious sites, be sure to spend some time wandering around Asakusa. Two places that I’d suggest you visit are:

Senso-ji – This is Tokyo’s most popular (and arguably most famous) temple. It’s beautifully painted and sits in a scenic spot near a pagoda and the Kaminari Gate. There’s a huge statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, inside the main hall. It’s busy during the day so aim to visit in the evening to beat the crowds. 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito, [phone], senso-ji.jp. The grounds are open 24/7, though the temple itself is open daily 6am-5pm. Admission is free.

Asakusa Shrine – This is a Shinto shrine located near Senso-ji. It’s much more peaceful and less busy than Senso-ji as well. It was built during the Edo period and miraculously survived the air raids of World War II. 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito, [phone], asakusajinja.jp. Open daily 9am-4:30pm. Admission is free.

  9. Have Dinner with Ninjas

For another unique dining experience, head to Ninja Akasaka. It’s a novelty ninja-themed restaurant designed like an Edo-era building. The waitstaff are clothed in stereotypical all-black garb and trained in all sorts of simple tricks, sleight of hand, and illusions. You’ll order off old scrolls while being entertained by the skillful tricks of your server. The food isn’t anything special it’s super fun and the atmosphere is unique.

Tokyu Plaza Akasaka, [phone], ninjaakasaka.com. Open daily 5pm-10:30pm (9:45pm on Sundays)  

10. Drink in Golden Gai

If you are looking for something interesting to do at night, this alley of backstreet bars is a cool spot to start at. There isn’t much going on here during the day, but come sundown, these zigzag hallways and closet-sized beer rooms are filled with interesting people and cheap drinks. There are 6 alleys connected by narrow passageways only wide enough for 1 or 2 people, making it a rather unique place to start your night out on the town. It’s located in Shinjuku.  

11. Visit the National Art Center

Opened in 2007, this museum and gallery doesn’t actually have a permanent collection but rather houses a never-ending series of temporary exhibitions, from impressionism to modern art (the Monet exhibition that was held here in 2007 was the most visited exhibition in the world). There are upwars ofr 60+ exhibitons each year so check their website to see what is currently being shown.

7 Chome-22-2 Roppongi, [phone], nact.jp. Open Wednesday-Monday 10am-5:30pm. Admission varies by exhibit.  

12. Eat Below the Girders

Not far from Ginza is the Yurakucho neighborhood. Below the elevated train tracks at Yurakucho Station is a 700m-long stretch of restaurants and bars. There are wine bars, beer pubs, and casual restaurants filled with businessmen. If you want to get a sense of local city life, this is a good neighborhood to explore after the workday is over.  

13. Superhero Go-Karting

If you’re a video game fan (or just want to do something different), check out Street Kart. This is a real-life Mario Bros. go-kart company that lets you dress up and race around the city. As long as you have an international driving permit (which you can get if you have a valid driver’s license), you can take part, racing around the city dressed up as Mario, Yoshi, or even Spiderman.

4-12-9 Sotokanda, [phone], maricar.com/en/akihabara.html. Open daily 10am-10pm. The course will take 1-2 hours and costs 9,000 JPY per person. There are multiple locations around the city.  

14. Check out a Sento

A sento is a traditional (and communal) Japanese public bathhouse. In the past, private baths were rare as accommodations in Japan are notoriously small. While private baths are much more commo today, sentos remaining important cultural hubs. The Japanese are not shy in sentos so you need to be comfortable with nudity! They are typically separated by gender. A budget-friendly sento will cost you just under 1,000 JPY. Just keep in mind that many have rules against tattoos.  

15. Visit a Quirky Café

Tokyo has all sorts of weird and wonderful cafés. Monster cafés, cat cafés, dog cafés, owl cafés, vampire cafés, and much more! If you can think of it, there is probably a café for it somewhere in the city. If you’re looking for something unusual to do (or just want a place to relax after exploring) then take a look and see what weird and quirky cafés are near you (they’re all around the city so you never have to go far to find one!).

Here are some suggestions to help you get started:

Kawaii Monster Café

Vampire Café

Christon Café (Christian-themed café)

Dog Heart (dog café)

Cat Café Calico

  16. See Shibuya Crossing

This is generally considered to be the busiest (and most famous) intersection in the world. This nearby metro station transports 2.4 million people per day and it’s estimated that upwards of 2,500 cross it at a time during rush hour. At night, the interaction is buzzing. Futuristic bright lights line the streets, with billboards playing videos and ads. It has a sci-fi feel to it (it kind of reminds me of Times Square on steroids).

While you’re here, make sure to visit the statue between Shibuya Station and the intersection. It’s a tribute to Hachiko, a loyal dog who waited for its master every day for 9 years, not knowing his owner had passed away. The dog is something of a national icon in Japan, and the story was made famous by the film Hachi: A Dog’s Tale.  

17. Stroll Around Shimokitazawa

Brimming with vintage shops, this Bohemian neighborhood is often compared to New York’s East Village. It’s a great example of the quieter side of Tokyo and offers some more relaxing streets to wander and window shop. Whether you’re looking to shop or just want to take in the scene, this is a cool neighborhood to explore for a couple hours.  

18. Gaze at Mt. Fuji from Hakone

If you want to take a day trip (or a multi-day trip) from the city, consider going to Hakone. It’s located just over an hour from Tokyo and is one of the best places to get away from the city, relax for a few days, and take in the view of Mount Fuji. There are numerous guesthouses in the area, many with their own private onsen (natural hot springs), making it a great place to go for a romantic getaway or if you just want to pamper your yourself.

If you have the Japan Rail Pass you can get here for free.  

19. Hang with the Harajuku Girls

Harajuku is an electric and quirky part of town known for its fashion, vintage stores, and cosplay shops. As you wander, you’ll often see “Harajuku girls” walking around town in unique clothing and colorful hairstyles (imagine a 1990s Gwen Stefani video come to life). In addition to all of the avant-garde fashion, there are also tons of trendy restaurants in the area as well. And there is also a monthly Harajuku Fashion Walk which highlights the costumed cos-players of the city as they parade around. For specific dates, check out the group’s Twitter account (@harajuku_fw).  

20. Watch a Sumo Match

Kokugikan is Japan’s most famous sumo wrestling arena. It hosts tournaments three times each year, all of which draw huge crowds. Sumo wrestling (the kind we are familiar with today) dates back to the 17th century, though its origins date back even further. Even to this day, it’s still one of the most popular traditions in the country. If you’re in town at the right time, this is a must-do (even if you’re not a sports fan, it’s a unique and rare opportunity). Tickets sell out quickly so be sure to book early.

1 Chome-3-2-8 Yokoami, Sumida, [phone], sumo.or.jp/kokugikan. Ticket prices vary, but expect to pay around 2,200 JPY.  

21. Watch Traditional Japanese Theatre

Kabuki theatre is a traditional form of Japanese performance involving dance and drama. The costumes and makeup are heavily stylized, making for a very visual performance. The Kabukizaka Theatre, located in Ginza, is the best place to see these incredible and power performances. You can purchase tickets for an entire show or just one act if you’re not ready to commit to a longer performance (they’re in Japanese and usually last a few hours).

4 Chome-12-15 Ginza, [phone], kabuki-za.co.jp. Performances are held almost daily. Check the website for the most up-to-date schedule. Expect to pay at least 1,000 JPY for a single-act ticket.  

22. Visit Daibutsu (the Great Buddha)

For another day trip, head to Kamakura. Here you’ll find a 13m bronze statue of Buddha that was built in 1252. The statue was initially constructed within a temple, but the temple was washed away — on several occasions — by storms.

Today, the statue now sits in the open air (along with a massive pair of straw sandals that belong to the statue). You can even go inside the statue itself (there isn’t much to see, but it’s still kind of neat to be able to step into a massive statue of that size and importance). The journey only takes about an hour so it’s a great destination for a half-day or full-day excursion.

4 Chome-2-28 Hase, Kamakura, [phone], kotoku-in.jp. Open daily 8am-5:30pm. Admission is 200 JPY. If you have the Japan Rail Pass you can get here for free.  

23. Visit the Ghibli Museum

If you’re a fan of the award-winning director Hayao Miyazaki’s work (he’s the genius behind Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, and Princess Mononoke), then you’ll want to check out this amazing museum. The exhibition was actually designed by Miyazaki himself and is an immersive experience that any film buff will appreciate. The museum hosts a new short film every month, only available to visitors. While a visit here won’t take up a whole day, it’s not in a very central location so you’ll need to plan accordingly (it’s about an hour from downtown Tokyo).

1 Chome-1-83 Shimorenjaku, [phone], ghibli-museum.jp. Open Wednesday-Monday 10am-6pm. Admission is 1,900 JPY for adults, with discounts available for youth and children. There are limited tickets available each day so book in advance.  

24. Get Touristy at Tokyo Disneyland

I’m a sucker for Disney attractions! This is a fun choice for anyone traveling with children, but also for any adults who just love amusement parks. Opened in 1983, it has seven themed areas to explore and is the third most visited theme park in the world. it has a lot of the same famous rides you’ll find at Disney World such as Splash Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, and the nauseating Mad Tea Cup Ride.

1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, [phone], tokyodisneyresort.jp/tdl. Open daily 8am-10pm. Admission is 7,400 JPY for adults and 4,800-6,400 JPY for children, depending on age.  

25. Hike Mount Mitake

Located just over an hour from Tokyo is Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park. The park covers 1,250 square kilometers of rolling hills, mountains, and lush forests. There are plenty of hiking trails, though you can also take a cable car to the top and then hike to the shrine that sits on the peak, some 930m above sea level. It’s a 30-minute walk to the shrine from the peak/top of the cable car. From there, you can hike for an hour to a small valley with two picturesque waterfalls or continue on to Mount Otake, which is about 2 hours from the summit of Mount Mitake.  

26. Stroll through Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

This park spans over 144 acres and is home to some 20,000 trees. Most of the original park was destroyed in World War II, however, it was rebuilt and reopened in 1949. During spring, the park is one of the best spaces to see cherry blossoms. My favorite part is the Japanese landscape garden, which has several ponds with bridges and islands. It’s a peaceful little oasis within the hustle and bustle of the city.

11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku, [phone], env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/index.html. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9am-4pm. Admission is 200 JPY.  

27. Visit the Tokyo Tower

Built in 1957, Tokyo Tower resembles the Eiffel Tower (though the Tokyo Tower is taller, standing 333m). It’s made entirely of steel and you can pay to go all the way to the top floor to take in the view. While the views are amazing, the main observation deck offers one that’s just as good for almost half the price.

4 Chome-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato, [phone], tokyotower.co.jp. Open daily 9am-11pm. Admission is 900 JPY for the main deck or 1,600 JPY for the top.  

28. Visit the Samurai Museum

No trip to Japan would be complete without learning about samurai. While they were known for their skills in combat, there was much more to the culture than just mastering the sword. This museum does a great job of illuminating life as a samurai and it also has some incredible displays of traditional weapons and armor (some of which you can even try on)

Kabukicho 2-25-6, [phone], samuraimuseum.jp/en. Open daily 10:30am-9pm. Admission is 1,900 JPY per person. You can explore the museum on your own or in a group tour, which are conducted every 30 minutes.  

29. Walk across the Rainbow Bridge

This is the city’s most popular bridge and offers some lovely views of both sides of Tokyo Bay. Built in 1993, the bright lights up at night with rainbow colors — hence the name. It makes for a pleasant walk during the day or at night if you need to stretch your legs after binging on sushi.  

30. Drinks at the Park Hyatt

New York Bar is the iconic bar from Sofia Coppola’s 2003 film Lost in Translation. Located on the 52nd floor, the bar actually lives up to the hype of the film. The atmosphere is classy, the drinks are great, and the view is absolutely stunning. There is live jazz every night, and while there is a cover charge (around 2,500 JPY), it’s definitely worth it if you’re looking to splash out.

3-7-1-2 Nishishinjuku, [phone], hyatt.com. Open Sunday-Wednesday 5pm-12am and Thursday-Saturday 5pm-1am.

***

Tokyo is one of those cities that really does have something for everyone. Nightlife, delicious food, accessible nature, insightful museums, art galleries, relaxing parks — you name it, you can find it here. But where the city really shines is with its quirky offerings. You’ll find tons of weird and wonderful restaurants, cafés, and activities here — things you wont find anywhere else in the world.

While the city isn’t the cheapest in Asia (though there are lots of ways to save money here it offers visitors the opportunity to experience life in one of the most electric, futuristic cities in the world. And, to me, that’s worth the price.

Book Your Trip to Japan: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the most comprehensive hostel inventory out there. If you want to stay in a hotel or guesthouse, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates. My favorite places to stay in Tokyo are:

Khaosan Tokyo Kabuki – This is one of the best hostels in the country. The staff go above and beyond, each room has its own bathroom, and it’s in a great location to help you explore the city.

Sheena and Ippei – This hostel is super homey, and the owners are both helpful and knowledgable. The lounge is open to everyone, and you can enjoy appetizers and sake on the weekends.

Hostel Chapter Two Tokyo – This is a small, family-run hostel in Asakusa. There’s a great view of the river and the dorms seem new and immaculately clean.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Looking for more travel tips for Japan Check out my in-depth Japan travel guide for more ways to save money, costs, tips on what to see and do, suggested itineraries, reading, packing lists, and much, much more!

Photo credit: 1 – AlexTalmaciu, 4 – Nick Turner, 5 – shiranai, 6 – Liz Mc, 9 – Michael Mortola, 12- Ian Kennedy, 16 – HeatherLWilliams

The post 30 Things to See and Do in Tokyo appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Nomadic Matt's Travel Site https://ift.tt/2sdnIkf via IFTTT

#IFTTT #Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

[captainsandipandutta]

Tokyo Hop On Hop Off Bus Map

In Tokyo, contrast is a way of life. Innovations and development give space for traditions respectfully. Tokyo is the epitome of a modern metropolis. Start your morning off with breakfast sushi at the world-famous Tsukiji Fish Market then let yourself get lost in Japan's vast and interesting history at the Tokyo National Museum or the Edo-Tokyo Museum.

Top 10 interesting things to do in Tokyo:

Keep Your Tummy Full At Tsukiji Fish Market

Watch A Morning Sumo Practice

Bar Hopping in Golden Gai

National Museum Of Emerging Science And Innovation

Shopping At Ginza

Explore Electronics District Akihabara

Visit Iconic Tokyo Tower

Experience The Crazyness Of Robot Restaurant

Spend Quality Time At Animal Cafe

Visit Ueno Park

Tokyo is a perfect tourist destination because of it’s huge number of tourist attractions, rich culture. Tokyo is the world’s best-modernized city. There is so much to do in Tokyo like starting up your day with Japanese Sweets then lunch at a luxurious restaurant, go shopping at Ginza, get some delicious street foods and experience the energetic nightlife.

Hop-On-Hop-Off bus tours are the best way you can explore Tokyo. The best thing about booking Tokyo Bus tours is that you’ll be able to save a lot of time exploring the city. Tokyo is a massive city and exploring it on your own can be overwhelming, if not time-consuming.

Tokyo 24-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Ticket - will provide you with the best bus tour.

#Tokyo travel guide #things to do in Tokyo #best places in tokyo #Bust tours in tokyo #Hop-on-hop-off #Tokya bus tours #Tokyo bus tour map

[molovesvintage]

This post is a bit different than usual, a combination of thoughts about traveling and a life update of sorts. Read on to hear where my head’s at these days. 

I got bit by the travel bug at a young age. I think what I loved most about it was the curiosity it enabled in me. There were so many things to see, explore, discover, and so much about the world to learn. And every time I returned, it was as a new person, as someone who’d been changed by those experiences and discoveries.

I grew to expect this life changing aspect of travel. Every trip would be grandiose, epic, and continue to form who I was as a person. But as you grow older and the world grows smaller and you see more of it, you stop being quite as surprised. You realize that it is unrealistic to change yourself every single time you go away. And you understand that that’s OK. It’s quite alright to have some trips that are just nice, and not necessarily life-changing.

So now, I go on trips expecting to return unchanged – and am pleasantly surprised when the opposite occurs. That despite my age and jadedness, I still have the capacity for curiosity and transformation.

What I love is the effect travel has upon one’s perspective. It could be that seeing new places and experiencing new cultures does this; it could also be the simple act of getting away and gaining some space and insight.

Whatever the reason, this happened to me quite recently when I came back from Taiwan.

Market scene in Jioufen, Taiwan. Shot on film.

Bao’an Temple in Taipei. Shot on film. Shot on film.

Reunited with a friend over bubble tea in Taipei. Shot on film.

I was only there about a week, catching up with an old friend and doing a little sightseeing and a lot of eating. My life in Tokyo for the past six months had been going pretty well, and so I definitely did not expect to return with any new revelations. But I think the past six months I’ve been caught up in the glamour and the buzz of living in a new city, so needed a little distance to be able to reflect on the beginning of this new chapter. When I returned from Taiwan, I had a few realizations.

I need a new living situation.

When I moved to Tokyo, I found a room in a sharehouse. Living alone in a big city is expensive, and house hunting as a foreigner is a daunting process, so it made sense at the time. I’m a social animal and I’d lived in a sharehouse before, so I knew I could do it.

However, my two years living alone in Kanazawa had shown me how much I adore living alone.  Returning from Taiwan, it was abundantly clear to me that I can not live in a sharehouse any longer. I miss having my own kitchen, with a bunch of food in the fridge and cooking meals on utensils that aren’t horrible. I miss having enough space for friends to visit and stay over. And I miss cleanliness. Oh god, I miss cleanliness. My housemates are very nice people, but they are younger than me, and it feels like living with messy, lazy children whose drunk friends pass out on the couch on the weekends. If I clean up after them, I resent them. If I don’t clean up after them, I’m living in squalor. I need to move.

Luckily, a friend hooked me up with a housing agent here in Tokyo who speaks great English and has been amazing. He showed me two apartments, I picked my favorite, and he helped me with the application. Finding housing in Japan can be a notoriously lengthy process, riddled with cultural differences and hidden costs, so having a pro to help me navigate this has been the key. Currently, I am caught in housing purgatory. The management company is reviewing me and trying to decide if they want me as a tenant. They haven’t said no yet, but they haven’t said yes either. So, while progress is being made, the apartment situation is TBD.

Nights out in Tokyo: Ginza. Shot on film. 

I also have started thinking about the future in a more concrete way.

It’s been really difficult for me to think past 2020. I’ve committed to Tokyo through the end of next year (hello, summer Olympics!) and I’ve always known that I will probably say goodbye to Japan after that. But beyond Japan, my vision of my future up until this point has been murky. Where would I go? What would I do? As much as I’d love to make writing more of a full-time gig, I don’t see that happening that soon, and if I want to keep living abroad, which I really do, teaching English is still my best bet, but I want to be able to continue to grow within that vocation.

And then it hit me: teacher training. As in, CELTA training. Getting my CELTA certificate was a crazy, intense, amazing experience, and I’d love to be able to facilitate that for others. Now, the road to becoming a CELTA trainer isn’t instant. I’ll have to get another qualification, the DELTA, which is like the CELTA on steroids, and then apply to a school or company to take me under their wing and train me, but it’s a good direction to work towards, and the higher learning and training I’ll be doing can only help me to be a better teacher. It’s a solid idea. Plus, as a CELTA trainer I’ll be more specialized, can keep working all over the world, and will be taking home a bigger paycheck (a nice plus).

I’ve started looking into DELTA programs, and while it looks rigorous and expensive, at the same time it looks completely doable. The qualification is composed of three modules, two of which can be done online. I can even start while I’m still working in Japan. The third is a bit tricky, as it requires the supervision of a DELTA tutor, but I can also travel to do it. I’m quite tempted by one program where this particular module is completed over 6 weeks in London. 6 weeks in London? My, that sounds terrible!

Nights out in Tokyo: Ebisu. Shot on film.

My third realization was time to ditch a relationship that was no longer serving me.

For me personally, absence truly does not make the heart grow fonder. I’d been casually seeing someone for a few months, the emphasis being on the word “casual”. In the beginning, I liked this aspect of it. It was nice to have someone to go out to bars and restaurants with, a companion with which to explore Tokyo. I didn’t see a relationship with him, nor did I necessarily want to. I was just having fun and getting used to my new life.

But after a bit of absence, I began to see aspects of him that I found undesirable creeping out of the woodwork. Things that I always noticed, but had never really bothered me, because it was just casual. The trouble is though, when it’s just casual, there’s not a lot of direction that the relationship can go in. And when casual stops being new and exciting, the resulting situation became increasingly lackluster. And ultimately, if the thought of him doesn’t make me say “fuck yes”, then it really should be a no.

I really hate confrontation and the thought that I may be disappointing or hurting another person, so I was really dreading this breakup (can you even call it a breakup when it’s not really a relationship? What is that?). Imagine my surprise and relief then, when he told me that he felt exactly the same and had been planning to break up with me as well, I just beat him to the punch.

So that’s where my head’s at right now. The first six months in Tokyo have been the fastest in my life. Here’s to slowing down and self-reflection.

Happy Travels,

Mo

Nights out in Tokyo: Golden Gai. Shot on film. 

Thoughts Upon Returning from Travel: A Life Update This post is a bit different than usual, a combination of thoughts about traveling and a life update of sorts.

#Asia #ESL #life #life abroad #life goals #life updates #ramblings #travel lessons #travels

[jeffreyclinard]

How to Spend Your Time in Tokyo: A Suggested Itinerary for 2019

Posted: 4/25/2019 | April 15th, 2019

Tokyo is one of the most amazing cities in the world. It’s fast-paced, futuristic, and bursting with weird and wonderful activities to keep you busy, including gorgeous shrines, palaces, and temples; hip clubs and bars; and fashionable people and shopping, not to mention cherry blossoms.

Tokyo lives up to all the hype you’ve heard about it.

You never know what you’ll find here. One second you’ll run into a group of women dressed in pig masks and ’80s dresses and the next you’re in a robot café.

Or a centuries-old temple.

It’s also one of the biggest cities in the world, home to over 13 million people — almost 40 million if you count the Greater Tokyo Area. It’s massive!

Not surprisingly, it’ll take some time to see it all. And there are so many nooks and crannies to explore that it’s easy to get lost.

Here is my suggested itinerary on how to visit the best restaurants, sites, and activities in Tokyo:

Table of Contents

Day 1: Fish Market, Ueno Park, and Asakusa

Day 2: Imperial Palace, Below the Girders, and Quirky Cafes

Day 3: Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Robots

Day 4: Take a Day Trip

Day 5: Tokyo Tower, Sumo, and Samurai

Where to Eat

Extra Resources

Tokyo Itinerary: Day 1 – Ueno Park, Museums, and Asakusa

Visit the Tsukiji and Toyosu Fish Market As of 2018, the main fish market moved to Toyosu. The new market is twice the size of Tsukiji, making it the largest fish market in the world. Just make sure to get a visitor’s pass when you enter.

Eat just-caught sushi for breakfast and marvel at the chaotic atmosphere at the world’s largest tuna market. The auction here powers much of the world’s sushi supply, and it is truly breathtaking. All around you are fish with colors and shapes you didn’t know existed. I have never seen more seafood I couldn’t identify.

The old outer market where you can find food and shops is still in the same location, in Tsukiji. You can still head there to eat and look around but the main market is now in Toyosu.

Tsukiji Fish Market: 5 Chome-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo, [phone]. Admission is free.

Toyosu Fish Market: 6 Chome-6-2 Toyosu, Koto, [phone]. Open Monday-Saturday from 5am-5pm, though most shops don’t open until 7am. Admission is free.

Relax in Ueno Park Ueno Park is a lovely spot to spend the day. It’s a perfect spot to photograph the many cherry trees and have a picnic. Don’t miss these sites in the park:

Tokyo National Museum – This museum is in the north end of the park. Established in 1872, this massive building houses one of the world’s largest collections of art and artifacts from Asia, particularly Japan. 13-9 Uenokoen, Taito, [phone], tnm.jp. Open daily 9:30am-5pm (8pm on most Fridays). Admission is 620 JPY.

Tosho-gu Shrine – This 17th-century Shinto shrine can also be found in the park. It’s beautiful with carved gold doors and ornate carvings. 9-88 Uenokoen, Taito, [phone], uenotoshogu.com/en. Open daily 9am-5:30pm. Admission is free, though to go further into the shrine, you’ll have to pay 500 JPY.

National Museum of Western Art Opened in 1959, this is one of the only art galleries in the country to focus on Western art. The collection of almost 5,000 pieces extends from the Renaissance all the way to the 20th century.

7-7 Uenokoen, [phone] , nmwa.go.jp. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9:30am-5:30pm (8pm on Fridays). Admission is 500 JPY for adults, 250 for college students, and free for seniors and anyone under 18.

Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum Built in 1933, this small museum used to be the official residence of the Prince and Princess Asaka. The prince had studied in Paris and wanted to bring the art deco style to Japan, which explains the building’s style and decorations. In 1983, the residence became a museum and is now home to a rotating series of modern art exhibitions.

5-21-9 Shirokanedai, [phone], teien-art-museum.ne.jp/en. Open daily 10am-6pm. Admission is 200 JPY, with discounts available for students, children, and seniors.

Stroll Along the Meguro River The Meguro River weaves almost five miles through the city and makes for a magnificent stroll. There’s a path with a bit of green space that follows the water, so plenty of locals walk or exercise there. In the spring, you’ll be able to see a lot of cherry blossoms.

Check out Asakusa If you want to check out some of Tokyo’s historic religious sites, be sure to spend some time wandering around Asakusa. Two places that I’d suggest you visit are:

Senso-ji – This is Tokyo’s most popular and famous temple. It’s beautifully painted and sits in a scenic spot near a pagoda and the beautiful Kaminari Gate. There’s a huge statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, inside the main hall. Look at the “wooden wishes” cards hanging off to the side: you can write your own and join the artistic display. It’s very busy during the day, so maybe check out the grounds in the evening. 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito, [phone], senso-ji.jp. The grounds are open 24/7, though the temple itself is open daily 6am-5pm. Admission is free.

Asakusa Shrine – Not far from Senso-ji is this Shinto shrine. This is much more peaceful than Senso-ji as there are fewer people and you’ll able to see people praying, meditating, or performing traditional rituals. It was built during the Edo period and survived the air raids of World War II. 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito, [phone], asakusajinja.jp. Open daily 9am-4:30pm. Admission is free.

Have Dinner with Ninjas For a unique dining experience, head to Ninja Akasaka, a ninja-themed restaurant designed like an Edo-era building, with waitstaff clothed in stereotypical all-black garb and trained in all sorts of tricks and illusions. You’ll order off old scrolls while being entertained by the skillful tricks of your server! It’s super fun.

Tokyu Plaza Akasaka, [phone], ninjaakasaka.com. Open daily 5pm-10:30pm (9:45pm on Sundays)

Drink in Golden Gai If you are looking for something interesting to do at night, this alley of backstreet bars is a cool spot to start at. There isn’t much going on here during the day, but come sundown, these zigzag hallways and closet-sized beer rooms are filled with interesting people and cheap drinks.

Tokyo Itinerary: Day 2 – Imperial Palace, Below the Girders, and Quirky Cafes

Stop by the Imperial Palace The Imperial Palace, home to the Emperor of Japan, is a terrific spot to learn about Japan’s history and culture. Formerly Edo Castle, it was built in the 15th century, and some of the walls and moats from that time are still in use to this day. When the Emperor moved from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1869, he took Edo for his new palace and renamed it the Imperial Palace.

Though you can’t go inside (or get super close), the building is amazing. It is surrounded by beautiful grounds and a park, and there’s a moat around the stone walls. You can also see the changing of the guard ceremony, though it’s relatively low-key and unassuming. Admission to the grounds is free.

Visit the National Art Center Opened in 2007, this museum and gallery doesn’t actually have a permanent collection but rather houses a never-ending series of temporary exhibitions, from impressionism to modern art. Check their website to see what is currently being shown.

7 Chome-22-2 Roppongi, [phone], nact.jp. Open Wednesday-Monday 10am-5:30pm. Admission varies by exhibit.

Eat Below the Girders Not far from Ginza is the Yurakucho neighborhood. Below the elevated train tracks at Yurakucho Station is a 700m-long stretch of restaurants and bars. There are wine bars, beer pubs, and casual restaurants filled with businessmen. If you want to get a sense of local city life, this is a good neighborhood to explore after the workday is over.

Superhero Go-Karting Want to speed around the streets of Tokyo in a go-kart while wearing a costume? Of course, you do! MariCar is a real-life Mario Bros. go-kart company that lets you dress up and race around the city. As long as you have an international driving permit (which you can get if you have a valid driver’s license), you can take part.

4-12-9 Sotokanda, [phone], maricar.com/en/akihabara.html. Open daily 10am-10pm. The course will take 1-2 hours and costs 9,000 JPY per person. There are multiple locations around the city.

Check out a Sento A sento is a traditional Japanese public bathhouse. The Japanese are not shy in sentos so you need to be comfortable with nudity! They are typically separated by gender. A budget-friendly sento will cost you just under 1,000 JPY.

Visit a Quirky Café Tokyo has all sorts of amazing, weird, and wonderful cafés. Monster cafés, owl cafés, cat cafés, vampire cafés, dog cafés, religious-themed cafés, and much more! If you’re looking for something unusual to do, see what weird and quirky cafés are near you (they’re all around the city so you never have to go far to find one!). Here are some suggestions:

Kawaii Monster Café

Vampire Café

Christon Café (Christian-themed café)

Dog Heart (dog café)

Cat Café Calico

Tokyo Itinerary: Day 3 – Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Robots

Stroll Around Shimokitazawa Brimming with vintage shops, this Bohemian neighborhood, often compared to the New York’s East Village showcases the quieter side of Tokyo. Whether you’re looking to shop or just want to take in the scene, it makes for a cool neighborhood to explore.

Stroll through Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden This park is over 144 acres with some 20,000 trees. Most of the original park was destroyed in World War II during the air raids but was rebuilt and reopened in 1949.

During spring, this beautiful park is one of the best spaces to see cherry blossoms. My favorite part is the Japanese landscape garden, which has several ponds with bridges and islands. It’s a peaceful little oasis within the hustle and bustle of the city.

11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku, [phone], env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/index.html. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9am-4pm. Admission is 200 JPY.

Visit Shibuya Crossing This is quite possibly the busiest and most famous intersection in the world. This area is buzzing at night, with bright lights and frenzied activity, like Times Square on steroids. Make sure to visit the statue between Shibuya Station and the intersection; it’s a tribute to Hachiko, the loyal dog made famous in the film Hachi: A Dog’s Tale.

Eat at the Robot Restaurant This restaurant is an absolute sensory overload. Lasers, robots, monsters…it has it all! It may be a tourist trap (not cheap), but it is epic, unlike anything you’ve ever seen and worth the price if you want to do something completely out of the ordinary!

1 Chome-7-1 Kabukicho, [phone], shinjuku-robot.com/pc. There are three performances a day on weekdays starting at 4:45pm, with afternoon matinees on weekends.

Hang with the Harajuku girls Harajuku is an electric and quirky part of town. You’ll often see teenage “Harajuku girls” walking around town in unique clothing and colorful hairstyles — imagine a 1990s Gwen Stefani video come to life. There’s also a monthly Harajuku Fashion Walk, in which costumed cos-players parade around — for dates, check out the group’s Twitter account (@harajuku_fw).

Experience a Tea Ceremony No visit to Japan is complete without experiencing a traditional tea ceremony. While these are usually long and expensive experiences, there are definitely some budget-friendly options for anyone looking to experience the ceremony without breaking the bank. Here are a few worth checking out:

Kyoto-kan (500 JPY per person, Yanmar Tokyo Building 1F 2-1-1)

Nadeshiko (2,700-4,400 JPY per person, 2-7-24-2F Asakusa)

The Way of Tea (5,500 JPY per person, Coredo Muromachi 3 3F)

Watch Traditional Japanese Theatre Kabuki theatre is a traditional form of Japanese performance involving dance and drama. The costumes and makeup are heavily stylized, making for a very visual performance. The Kabukizaka Theatre, located in Ginza, is the best locale to see one of these incredible displays. You can purchase tickets for an entire show or just one act if you’re not ready to commit to a longer performance (they’re in Japanese and last a few hours).

4 Chome-12-15 Ginza, [phone], kabuki-za.co.jp. Performances are held almost daily. Check the website for the most up-to-date schedule. Expect to pay at least 1,000 JPY for a single-act ticket.

Tokyo Itinerary: Day 4 – Take a Day Trip

Time to take a break from the city and head out on a day trip. Here are some suggestions:

Visit Daibutsu (the Great Buddha) Make a day trip to Kamakura, where you can see a 13m bronze statue of Buddha. Built in 1252, the statue was initially constructed within a temple, but the temple was washed away — on several occasions — by storms. The statue now sits in the open air.

4 Chome-2-28 Hase, Kamakura, [phone], kotoku-in.jp. Open daily 8am-5:30pm. Admission is 200 JPY.

Get Touristy at Tokyo Disneyland I’m a sucker for Disney attractions! This is a fun choice for anyone traveling with children, but also for any adults who just love amusement parks. Opened in 1983, it has seven themed areas to explore and is the third most visited theme park in the world!

1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, [phone], tokyodisneyresort.jp/tdl. Open daily 8am-10pm. Admission is 7,400 JPY for adults and 4,800-6,400 JPY for children, depending on age.

Hike Mount Mitake Located just over an hour from Tokyo is Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park. The park covers 1,250 square kilometers of rolling hills, mountains, and forests. There are plenty of hiking trails, though you can also take a cable car to the top and then hike to the shrine that sits on the peak, some 930m above sea level.

Gaze at Mt. Fuji from Hakone Located just over an hour from Tokyo, Hakone is one of the best places to get away from the city, relax for a few days, and take in the view of Mount Fuji. There are numerous guesthouses in the area, many with their own private onsen (hot springs).

Visit the Ghibli Museum If you’re a fan of famed director Hayao Miyazaki’s work (Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke), then you’ll want to check out this amazing exhibition. It was designed by Miyazaki himself and is an immersive experience that any film buff will appreciate. There is also a new short film every month, only available to visitors. The museum won’t take up a whole day, but it’s not in a very central location so you’ll need to plan accordingly.

1 Chome-1-83 Shimorenjaku, [phone], ghibli-museum.jp. Open Wednesday-Monday 10am-6pm. Admission is 1,900 JPY for adults, with discounts available for youth and children. There are limited tickets available each day so book in advance.

Tokyo Itinerary: Day 5 – Tokyo Tower, Sumo Match, and Samurai

Visit the Tokyo Tower Built in 1957 and resembling the Eiffel Tower, the Tokyo Tower is taller (at 333m) than its European version and made entirely of steel. You can pay to go all the way to the top floor to take in the view, but frankly, the main observation deck offers one that’s just as good.

4 Chome-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato, [phone], tokyotower.co.jp. Open daily 9am-11pm. Admission is 900 JPY for the main deck or 1,600 JPY for the top.

Visit the Samurai Museum No trip to Japan would be complete without learning about samurai. While they were known for their martial skill, there was much more to the culture than just mastering the katana (a traditional sword). The museum has some incredible displays of traditional weapons and armor, some of which you can even try on.

Kabukicho 2-25-6, [phone], samuraimuseum.jp/en. Open daily 10:30am-9pm. Admission is 1,900 JPY per person. You can explore the museum on your own or in a group tour, which are conducted every 30 minutes.

Walk across the Rainbow Bridge This is the city’s most popular bridge and offers some lovely views of both sides of Tokyo Bay. Built in 1993, the bright lights up at night with rainbow colors — hence the name. It makes for a pleasant walk during the day or at night.

Watch a Sumo Match Kokugikan, Japan’s most famous sumo wrestling arena, hosts tournaments three times each year. The sumo wrestling that we see today dates back to the 17th century, though its origins date back even further, and it’s still one of the most popular traditions in the country. If you’re in town at the right time, this is a must-do! Tickets sell out quickly so act quick. A visit to one of the sumo stables nearby can be interesting but must be arranged well in advance.

1 Chome-3-2-8 Yokoami, Sumida, [phone], sumo.or.jp/kokugikan. Ticket prices vary, but expect to pay around 2,200 JPY.

Drinks at the Park Hyatt New York Bar is the iconic bar from Sofia Coppola’s 2003 film Lost in Translation. Located on the 52nd floor, it actually lives up to the hype of the film. The atmosphere is classy, the drinks are great, and the view is absolutely stunning. There is live jazz every night, and while there is a cover charge (around 2,500 JPY), it’s definitely worth it!

3-7-1-2 Nishishinjuku, [phone], hyatt.com. Open Sunday-Wednesday 5pm-12am and Thursday-Saturday 5pm-1am.

Where to Eat

Tokyo is so huge and has so many dining options, that it would be impossible to pick just two or three favorites. Here are just a few of my favorite restaurants in Tokyo:

Bifteck Kawamura Ginza – The steak here basically melted in my mouth and exploded with flavor. I found it a bit too high-end and overpriced for me though. 6 Chome-5-1 Ginza, Ginza MST Bldg. 8F, Chuo, 104-0061, [phone], bifteck.co.jp.

Ichiran Shibuya – This ramen spot served one of the best meals I had my entire trip. The thick, flavorful broth is to die for. I also like how you eat in your own little private booth. Funky. Expect a wait during peak lunch and dinner times. 1 Chome-22-7 Jinnan, Shibuya, 150-0041, [phone], en.ichiran.com/index.php.

Isakaya Juban – A little hole-in-the-wall izakaya restaurant (think Japanese tapas) with locals getting drunk on sake and eating tasty small plates. I was big fan of its salmon and grilled squid. 2 Chome-1-2 Azabujuban, Minato, 106-0045, [phone], izakayajuban.com.

Kakimaru – An amazing seafood and tapas place. Be sure to get the oysters. Note: While Google Maps will list the restaurant as Kakimaru, when you go there, the restaurant will be called Uohama. 6 Chome-1-6 Roppongi, Minato, 106-0032, [phone].

Standing Sushi Bar – This standing sushi location is one of many in town. It’s great for a quick bite: you stand, eat sushi, and get out. It has a robust menu and it’s cheap! 1 Chome-12-12 Nishishinjuku, Kasai Bldg. 1F, Shinjuku, 160-0023, [phone], uogashi-nihonichi.com.

Tenmatsu Tempura – The tempura here is well known for its lightness. It’s a small establishment with set tempura menus. 1 Chome-8-2 Nihonbashimuromachi, Chuo, 103-0022, [phone], tenmatsu.com/english.html.

For more places to eat, check out this post on the best places to eat in Tokyo.

Extra Resources

To see what other fun and interesting activities are going on in the city during your visit, here are a few magazines and websites you’ll want to check out:

Time Out Tokyo

Tokyo Weekender

Tokyo Journal

Metropolis Japan

*** Tokyo is a massive city. You could spend a lifetime here and still not discover everything there is to see. But if you follow the itinerary and suggestions above, you’ll be able to have a fun and insightful visit and leave this sprawling capital with a nuanced perspective of what life in Tokyo is like. Best of all, you’ll be able to do it without breaking the bank!

Book Your Trip to Japan: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the most comprehensive inventory so they are best for booking a hostel. If you want to stay in a hotel or guesthouse in Japan, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. They’re the best booking site out there. My favorite places to stay in Japan are:

Khaosan Tokyo Kabuki (Tokyo) – This is one of the best hostels in the country. The staff go above and beyond, each room has its own bathroom, and it’s in a great location to help you explore the city.

Sheena and Ippei – This hostel is super homey, and the owners are both helpful and knowledgable. The lounge is open to everyone, and you can enjoy appetizers and sake on the weekends.

Hostel Chapter Two Tokyo – This is a small, family-run hostel in Asakusa. There’s a great view of the river and the dorms seem new and immaculately clean.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Looking for more travel tips for Japan Check out my in-depth Japan travel guide for more ways to save money, costs, tips on what to see and do, suggested itineraries, reading, packing lists, and much, much more!

The post How to Spend Your Time in Tokyo: A Suggested Itinerary for 2019 appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

from Traveling News https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/tokyo-itinerary/

[vidovicart]

How to Spend Your Time in Tokyo: A Suggested Itinerary for 2019

Posted: 4/25/2019 | April 15th, 2019

Tokyo is one of the most amazing cities in the world. It’s fast-paced, futuristic, and bursting with weird and wonderful activities to keep you busy, including gorgeous shrines, palaces, and temples; hip clubs and bars; and fashionable people and shopping, not to mention cherry blossoms.

Tokyo lives up to all the hype you’ve heard about it.

You never know what you’ll find here. One second you’ll run into a group of women dressed in pig masks and ’80s dresses and the next you’re in a robot café.

Or a centuries-old temple.

It’s also one of the biggest cities in the world, home to over 13 million people — almost 40 million if you count the Greater Tokyo Area. It’s massive!

Not surprisingly, it’ll take some time to see it all. And there are so many nooks and crannies to explore that it’s easy to get lost.

Here is my suggested itinerary on how to visit the best restaurants, sites, and activities in Tokyo:

Table of Contents

Day 1: Fish Market, Ueno Park, and Asakusa

Day 2: Imperial Palace, Below the Girders, and Quirky Cafes

Day 3: Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Robots

Day 4: Take a Day Trip

Day 5: Tokyo Tower, Sumo, and Samurai

Where to Eat

Extra Resources

Tokyo Itinerary: Day 1 – Ueno Park, Museums, and Asakusa

Visit the Tsukiji and Toyosu Fish Market As of 2018, the main fish market moved to Toyosu. The new market is twice the size of Tsukiji, making it the largest fish market in the world. Just make sure to get a visitor’s pass when you enter.

Eat just-caught sushi for breakfast and marvel at the chaotic atmosphere at the world’s largest tuna market. The auction here powers much of the world’s sushi supply, and it is truly breathtaking. All around you are fish with colors and shapes you didn’t know existed. I have never seen more seafood I couldn’t identify.

The old outer market where you can find food and shops is still in the same location, in Tsukiji. You can still head there to eat and look around but the main market is now in Toyosu.

Tsukiji Fish Market: 5 Chome-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo, [phone]. Admission is free.

Toyosu Fish Market: 6 Chome-6-2 Toyosu, Koto, [phone]. Open Monday-Saturday from 5am-5pm, though most shops don’t open until 7am. Admission is free.

Relax in Ueno Park Ueno Park is a lovely spot to spend the day. It’s a perfect spot to photograph the many cherry trees and have a picnic. Don’t miss these sites in the park:

Tokyo National Museum – This museum is in the north end of the park. Established in 1872, this massive building houses one of the world’s largest collections of art and artifacts from Asia, particularly Japan. 13-9 Uenokoen, Taito, [phone], tnm.jp. Open daily 9:30am-5pm (8pm on most Fridays). Admission is 620 JPY.

Tosho-gu Shrine – This 17th-century Shinto shrine can also be found in the park. It’s beautiful with carved gold doors and ornate carvings. 9-88 Uenokoen, Taito, [phone], uenotoshogu.com/en. Open daily 9am-5:30pm. Admission is free, though to go further into the shrine, you’ll have to pay 500 JPY.

National Museum of Western Art Opened in 1959, this is one of the only art galleries in the country to focus on Western art. The collection of almost 5,000 pieces extends from the Renaissance all the way to the 20th century.

7-7 Uenokoen, [phone] , nmwa.go.jp. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9:30am-5:30pm (8pm on Fridays). Admission is 500 JPY for adults, 250 for college students, and free for seniors and anyone under 18.

Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum Built in 1933, this small museum used to be the official residence of the Prince and Princess Asaka. The prince had studied in Paris and wanted to bring the art deco style to Japan, which explains the building’s style and decorations. In 1983, the residence became a museum and is now home to a rotating series of modern art exhibitions.

5-21-9 Shirokanedai, [phone], teien-art-museum.ne.jp/en. Open daily 10am-6pm. Admission is 200 JPY, with discounts available for students, children, and seniors.

Stroll Along the Meguro River The Meguro River weaves almost five miles through the city and makes for a magnificent stroll. There’s a path with a bit of green space that follows the water, so plenty of locals walk or exercise there. In the spring, you’ll be able to see a lot of cherry blossoms.

Check out Asakusa If you want to check out some of Tokyo’s historic religious sites, be sure to spend some time wandering around Asakusa. Two places that I’d suggest you visit are:

Senso-ji – This is Tokyo’s most popular and famous temple. It’s beautifully painted and sits in a scenic spot near a pagoda and the beautiful Kaminari Gate. There’s a huge statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, inside the main hall. Look at the “wooden wishes” cards hanging off to the side: you can write your own and join the artistic display. It’s very busy during the day, so maybe check out the grounds in the evening. 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito, [phone], senso-ji.jp. The grounds are open 24/7, though the temple itself is open daily 6am-5pm. Admission is free.

Asakusa Shrine – Not far from Senso-ji is this Shinto shrine. This is much more peaceful than Senso-ji as there are fewer people and you’ll able to see people praying, meditating, or performing traditional rituals. It was built during the Edo period and survived the air raids of World War II. 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito, [phone], asakusajinja.jp. Open daily 9am-4:30pm. Admission is free.

Have Dinner with Ninjas For a unique dining experience, head to Ninja Akasaka, a ninja-themed restaurant designed like an Edo-era building, with waitstaff clothed in stereotypical all-black garb and trained in all sorts of tricks and illusions. You’ll order off old scrolls while being entertained by the skillful tricks of your server! It’s super fun.

Tokyu Plaza Akasaka, [phone], ninjaakasaka.com. Open daily 5pm-10:30pm (9:45pm on Sundays)

Drink in Golden Gai If you are looking for something interesting to do at night, this alley of backstreet bars is a cool spot to start at. There isn’t much going on here during the day, but come sundown, these zigzag hallways and closet-sized beer rooms are filled with interesting people and cheap drinks.

Tokyo Itinerary: Day 2 – Imperial Palace, Below the Girders, and Quirky Cafes

Stop by the Imperial Palace The Imperial Palace, home to the Emperor of Japan, is a terrific spot to learn about Japan’s history and culture. Formerly Edo Castle, it was built in the 15th century, and some of the walls and moats from that time are still in use to this day. When the Emperor moved from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1869, he took Edo for his new palace and renamed it the Imperial Palace.

Though you can’t go inside (or get super close), the building is amazing. It is surrounded by beautiful grounds and a park, and there’s a moat around the stone walls. You can also see the changing of the guard ceremony, though it’s relatively low-key and unassuming. Admission to the grounds is free.

Visit the National Art Center Opened in 2007, this museum and gallery doesn’t actually have a permanent collection but rather houses a never-ending series of temporary exhibitions, from impressionism to modern art. Check their website to see what is currently being shown.

7 Chome-22-2 Roppongi, [phone], nact.jp. Open Wednesday-Monday 10am-5:30pm. Admission varies by exhibit.

Eat Below the Girders Not far from Ginza is the Yurakucho neighborhood. Below the elevated train tracks at Yurakucho Station is a 700m-long stretch of restaurants and bars. There are wine bars, beer pubs, and casual restaurants filled with businessmen. If you want to get a sense of local city life, this is a good neighborhood to explore after the workday is over.

Superhero Go-Karting Want to speed around the streets of Tokyo in a go-kart while wearing a costume? Of course, you do! MariCar is a real-life Mario Bros. go-kart company that lets you dress up and race around the city. As long as you have an international driving permit (which you can get if you have a valid driver’s license), you can take part.

4-12-9 Sotokanda, [phone], maricar.com/en/akihabara.html. Open daily 10am-10pm. The course will take 1-2 hours and costs 9,000 JPY per person. There are multiple locations around the city.

Check out a Sento A sento is a traditional Japanese public bathhouse. The Japanese are not shy in sentos so you need to be comfortable with nudity! They are typically separated by gender. A budget-friendly sento will cost you just under 1,000 JPY.

Visit a Quirky Café Tokyo has all sorts of amazing, weird, and wonderful cafés. Monster cafés, owl cafés, cat cafés, vampire cafés, dog cafés, religious-themed cafés, and much more! If you’re looking for something unusual to do, see what weird and quirky cafés are near you (they’re all around the city so you never have to go far to find one!). Here are some suggestions:

Kawaii Monster Café

Vampire Café

Christon Café (Christian-themed café)

Dog Heart (dog café)

Cat Café Calico

Tokyo Itinerary: Day 3 – Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Robots

Stroll Around Shimokitazawa Brimming with vintage shops, this Bohemian neighborhood, often compared to the New York’s East Village showcases the quieter side of Tokyo. Whether you’re looking to shop or just want to take in the scene, it makes for a cool neighborhood to explore.

Stroll through Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden This park is over 144 acres with some 20,000 trees. Most of the original park was destroyed in World War II during the air raids but was rebuilt and reopened in 1949.

During spring, this beautiful park is one of the best spaces to see cherry blossoms. My favorite part is the Japanese landscape garden, which has several ponds with bridges and islands. It’s a peaceful little oasis within the hustle and bustle of the city.

11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku, [phone], env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/index.html. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9am-4pm. Admission is 200 JPY.

Visit Shibuya Crossing This is quite possibly the busiest and most famous intersection in the world. This area is buzzing at night, with bright lights and frenzied activity, like Times Square on steroids. Make sure to visit the statue between Shibuya Station and the intersection; it’s a tribute to Hachiko, the loyal dog made famous in the film Hachi: A Dog’s Tale.

Eat at the Robot Restaurant This restaurant is an absolute sensory overload. Lasers, robots, monsters…it has it all! It may be a tourist trap (not cheap), but it is epic, unlike anything you’ve ever seen and worth the price if you want to do something completely out of the ordinary!

1 Chome-7-1 Kabukicho, [phone], shinjuku-robot.com/pc. There are three performances a day on weekdays starting at 4:45pm, with afternoon matinees on weekends.

Hang with the Harajuku girls Harajuku is an electric and quirky part of town. You’ll often see teenage “Harajuku girls” walking around town in unique clothing and colorful hairstyles — imagine a 1990s Gwen Stefani video come to life. There’s also a monthly Harajuku Fashion Walk, in which costumed cos-players parade around — for dates, check out the group’s Twitter account (@harajuku_fw).

Experience a Tea Ceremony No visit to Japan is complete without experiencing a traditional tea ceremony. While these are usually long and expensive experiences, there are definitely some budget-friendly options for anyone looking to experience the ceremony without breaking the bank. Here are a few worth checking out:

Kyoto-kan (500 JPY per person, Yanmar Tokyo Building 1F 2-1-1)

Nadeshiko (2,700-4,400 JPY per person, 2-7-24-2F Asakusa)

The Way of Tea (5,500 JPY per person, Coredo Muromachi 3 3F)

Watch Traditional Japanese Theatre Kabuki theatre is a traditional form of Japanese performance involving dance and drama. The costumes and makeup are heavily stylized, making for a very visual performance. The Kabukizaka Theatre, located in Ginza, is the best locale to see one of these incredible displays. You can purchase tickets for an entire show or just one act if you’re not ready to commit to a longer performance (they’re in Japanese and last a few hours).

4 Chome-12-15 Ginza, [phone], kabuki-za.co.jp. Performances are held almost daily. Check the website for the most up-to-date schedule. Expect to pay at least 1,000 JPY for a single-act ticket.

Tokyo Itinerary: Day 4 – Take a Day Trip

Time to take a break from the city and head out on a day trip. Here are some suggestions:

Visit Daibutsu (the Great Buddha) Make a day trip to Kamakura, where you can see a 13m bronze statue of Buddha. Built in 1252, the statue was initially constructed within a temple, but the temple was washed away — on several occasions — by storms. The statue now sits in the open air.

4 Chome-2-28 Hase, Kamakura, [phone], kotoku-in.jp. Open daily 8am-5:30pm. Admission is 200 JPY.

Get Touristy at Tokyo Disneyland I’m a sucker for Disney attractions! This is a fun choice for anyone traveling with children, but also for any adults who just love amusement parks. Opened in 1983, it has seven themed areas to explore and is the third most visited theme park in the world!

1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, [phone], tokyodisneyresort.jp/tdl. Open daily 8am-10pm. Admission is 7,400 JPY for adults and 4,800-6,400 JPY for children, depending on age.

Hike Mount Mitake Located just over an hour from Tokyo is Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park. The park covers 1,250 square kilometers of rolling hills, mountains, and forests. There are plenty of hiking trails, though you can also take a cable car to the top and then hike to the shrine that sits on the peak, some 930m above sea level.

Gaze at Mt. Fuji from Hakone Located just over an hour from Tokyo, Hakone is one of the best places to get away from the city, relax for a few days, and take in the view of Mount Fuji. There are numerous guesthouses in the area, many with their own private onsen (hot springs).

Visit the Ghibli Museum If you’re a fan of famed director Hayao Miyazaki’s work (Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke), then you’ll want to check out this amazing exhibition. It was designed by Miyazaki himself and is an immersive experience that any film buff will appreciate. There is also a new short film every month, only available to visitors. The museum won’t take up a whole day, but it’s not in a very central location so you’ll need to plan accordingly.

1 Chome-1-83 Shimorenjaku, [phone], ghibli-museum.jp. Open Wednesday-Monday 10am-6pm. Admission is 1,900 JPY for adults, with discounts available for youth and children. There are limited tickets available each day so book in advance.

Tokyo Itinerary: Day 5 – Tokyo Tower, Sumo Match, and Samurai

Visit the Tokyo Tower Built in 1957 and resembling the Eiffel Tower, the Tokyo Tower is taller (at 333m) than its European version and made entirely of steel. You can pay to go all the way to the top floor to take in the view, but frankly, the main observation deck offers one that’s just as good.

4 Chome-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato, [phone], tokyotower.co.jp. Open daily 9am-11pm. Admission is 900 JPY for the main deck or 1,600 JPY for the top.

Visit the Samurai Museum No trip to Japan would be complete without learning about samurai. While they were known for their martial skill, there was much more to the culture than just mastering the katana (a traditional sword). The museum has some incredible displays of traditional weapons and armor, some of which you can even try on.

Kabukicho 2-25-6, [phone], samuraimuseum.jp/en. Open daily 10:30am-9pm. Admission is 1,900 JPY per person. You can explore the museum on your own or in a group tour, which are conducted every 30 minutes.

Walk across the Rainbow Bridge This is the city’s most popular bridge and offers some lovely views of both sides of Tokyo Bay. Built in 1993, the bright lights up at night with rainbow colors — hence the name. It makes for a pleasant walk during the day or at night.

Watch a Sumo Match Kokugikan, Japan’s most famous sumo wrestling arena, hosts tournaments three times each year. The sumo wrestling that we see today dates back to the 17th century, though its origins date back even further, and it’s still one of the most popular traditions in the country. If you’re in town at the right time, this is a must-do! Tickets sell out quickly so act quick. A visit to one of the sumo stables nearby can be interesting but must be arranged well in advance.

1 Chome-3-2-8 Yokoami, Sumida, [phone], sumo.or.jp/kokugikan. Ticket prices vary, but expect to pay around 2,200 JPY.

Drinks at the Park Hyatt New York Bar is the iconic bar from Sofia Coppola’s 2003 film Lost in Translation. Located on the 52nd floor, it actually lives up to the hype of the film. The atmosphere is classy, the drinks are great, and the view is absolutely stunning. There is live jazz every night, and while there is a cover charge (around 2,500 JPY), it’s definitely worth it!

3-7-1-2 Nishishinjuku, [phone], hyatt.com. Open Sunday-Wednesday 5pm-12am and Thursday-Saturday 5pm-1am.

Where to Eat

Tokyo is so huge and has so many dining options, that it would be impossible to pick just two or three favorites. Here are just a few of my favorite restaurants in Tokyo:

Bifteck Kawamura Ginza – The steak here basically melted in my mouth and exploded with flavor. I found it a bit too high-end and overpriced for me though. 6 Chome-5-1 Ginza, Ginza MST Bldg. 8F, Chuo, 104-0061, [phone], bifteck.co.jp.

Ichiran Shibuya – This ramen spot served one of the best meals I had my entire trip. The thick, flavorful broth is to die for. I also like how you eat in your own little private booth. Funky. Expect a wait during peak lunch and dinner times. 1 Chome-22-7 Jinnan, Shibuya, 150-0041, [phone], en.ichiran.com/index.php.

Isakaya Juban – A little hole-in-the-wall izakaya restaurant (think Japanese tapas) with locals getting drunk on sake and eating tasty small plates. I was big fan of its salmon and grilled squid. 2 Chome-1-2 Azabujuban, Minato, 106-0045, [phone], izakayajuban.com.

Kakimaru – An amazing seafood and tapas place. Be sure to get the oysters. Note: While Google Maps will list the restaurant as Kakimaru, when you go there, the restaurant will be called Uohama. 6 Chome-1-6 Roppongi, Minato, 106-0032, [phone].

Standing Sushi Bar – This standing sushi location is one of many in town. It’s great for a quick bite: you stand, eat sushi, and get out. It has a robust menu and it’s cheap! 1 Chome-12-12 Nishishinjuku, Kasai Bldg. 1F, Shinjuku, 160-0023, [phone], uogashi-nihonichi.com.

Tenmatsu Tempura – The tempura here is well known for its lightness. It’s a small establishment with set tempura menus. 1 Chome-8-2 Nihonbashimuromachi, Chuo, 103-0022, [phone], tenmatsu.com/english.html.

For more places to eat, check out this post on the best places to eat in Tokyo.

Extra Resources

To see what other fun and interesting activities are going on in the city during your visit, here are a few magazines and websites you’ll want to check out:

Time Out Tokyo

Tokyo Weekender

Tokyo Journal

Metropolis Japan

*** Tokyo is a massive city. You could spend a lifetime here and still not discover everything there is to see. But if you follow the itinerary and suggestions above, you’ll be able to have a fun and insightful visit and leave this sprawling capital with a nuanced perspective of what life in Tokyo is like. Best of all, you’ll be able to do it without breaking the bank!

Book Your Trip to Japan: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the most comprehensive inventory so they are best for booking a hostel. If you want to stay in a hotel or guesthouse in Japan, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. They’re the best booking site out there. My favorite places to stay in Japan are:

Khaosan Tokyo Kabuki (Tokyo) – This is one of the best hostels in the country. The staff go above and beyond, each room has its own bathroom, and it’s in a great location to help you explore the city.

Sheena and Ippei – This hostel is super homey, and the owners are both helpful and knowledgable. The lounge is open to everyone, and you can enjoy appetizers and sake on the weekends.

Hostel Chapter Two Tokyo – This is a small, family-run hostel in Asakusa. There’s a great view of the river and the dorms seem new and immaculately clean.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Looking for more travel tips for Japan Check out my in-depth Japan travel guide for more ways to save money, costs, tips on what to see and do, suggested itineraries, reading, packing lists, and much, much more!

The post How to Spend Your Time in Tokyo: A Suggested Itinerary for 2019 appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

[travelguy4444]

How to Spend Your Time in Tokyo: A Suggested Itinerary for 2019

Posted: 4/25/2019 | April 15th, 2019

Tokyo is one of the most amazing cities in the world. It’s fast-paced, futuristic, and bursting with weird and wonderful activities to keep you busy, including gorgeous shrines, palaces, and temples; hip clubs and bars; and fashionable people and shopping, not to mention cherry blossoms.

Tokyo lives up to all the hype you’ve heard about it.

You never know what you’ll find here. One second you’ll run into a group of women dressed in pig masks and ’80s dresses and the next you’re in a robot café.

Or a centuries-old temple.

It’s also one of the biggest cities in the world, home to over 13 million people — almost 40 million if you count the Greater Tokyo Area. It’s massive!

Not surprisingly, it’ll take some time to see it all. And there are so many nooks and crannies to explore that it’s easy to get lost.

Here is my suggested itinerary on how to visit the best restaurants, sites, and activities in Tokyo:

Table of Contents

Day 1: Fish Market, Ueno Park, and Asakusa

Day 2: Imperial Palace, Below the Girders, and Quirky Cafes

Day 3: Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Robots

Day 4: Take a Day Trip

Day 5: Tokyo Tower, Sumo, and Samurai

Where to Eat

Extra Resources

Tokyo Itinerary: Day 1 – Ueno Park, Museums, and Asakusa

Visit the Tsukiji and Toyosu Fish Market As of 2018, the main fish market moved to Toyosu. The new market is twice the size of Tsukiji, making it the largest fish market in the world. Just make sure to get a visitor’s pass when you enter.

Eat just-caught sushi for breakfast and marvel at the chaotic atmosphere at the world’s largest tuna market. The auction here powers much of the world’s sushi supply, and it is truly breathtaking. All around you are fish with colors and shapes you didn’t know existed. I have never seen more seafood I couldn’t identify.

The old outer market where you can find food and shops is still in the same location, in Tsukiji. You can still head there to eat and look around but the main market is now in Toyosu.

Tsukiji Fish Market: 5 Chome-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo, [phone]. Admission is free.

Toyosu Fish Market: 6 Chome-6-2 Toyosu, Koto, [phone]. Open Monday-Saturday from 5am-5pm, though most shops don’t open until 7am. Admission is free.

Relax in Ueno Park Ueno Park is a lovely spot to spend the day. It’s a perfect spot to photograph the many cherry trees and have a picnic. Don’t miss these sites in the park:

Tokyo National Museum – This museum is on the north end of the park. Established in 1872, this massive building houses one of the world’s largest art collections of art and artifacts from Asia, particularly Japan. 13-9 Uenokoen, Taito, [phone], tnm.jp. Open daily 9:30am-5pm (8pm on most Fridays). Admission is 620 JPY.

Tosho-gu Shrine – This 17th-century Shinto shrine can also be found in the park. It’s beautiful with carved gold doors and ornate carvings. 9-88 Uenokoen, Taito, [phone], uenotoshogu.com/en. Open daily 9am-5:30pm. Admission is free, though to go further into the shrine, you’ll have to pay 500 JPY.

National Museum of Western Art Opened in 1959, this is one of the only art galleries in the country to focus on Western art. The collection of almost 5,000 pieces extends from the Renaissance all the way to the 20th century.

7-7 Uenokoen, [phone] , nmwa.go.jp. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9:30am-5:30pm (8pm on Fridays). Admission is 500 JPY for adults, 250 for college students, and free for seniors and anyone under 18.

Tokyo Metropolitan Teien Art Museum Built in 1933, this small museum used to be the official residence of the Prince and Princess Asaka. The prince had studied in Paris and wanted to bring the art deco style to Japan, which explains the building’s style and decorations. In 1983, the residence became a museum and is now home to a rotating series of modern art exhibitions.

5-21-9 Shirokanedai, [phone], teien-art-museum.ne.jp/en. Open daily 10am-6pm. Admission is 200 JPY, with discounts available for students, children, and seniors.

Stroll Along the Meguro River The Meguro River weaves almost five miles through the city and makes for a magnificent stroll. There’s a path with a bit of greenspace that follows the water, so plenty of locals walk or exercise there. In the spring, you’ll be able to see a lot of cherry blossoms.

Check out Asakusa If you want to check out some of Tokyo’s historic religious sites, be sure to spend some time wandering around Asakusa. Two places that I’d suggest you visit are:

Senso-ji – This is Tokyo’s most popular and famous temple. It’s beautifully painted and sits in a scenic spot near a pagoda and the beautiful Kaminari Gate. There’s a huge statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, inside the main hall. Look at the “wooden wishes” cards hanging off to the side: you can write your own and join the artistic display. It’s very busy during the day, so maybe check out the grounds in the evening. 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito, [phone], senso-ji.jp. The grounds are open 24/7, though the temple itself is open daily 6am-5pm. Admission is free.

Asakusa Shrine – Not far from Senso-ji is this Shinto shrine. This is much more peaceful than Senso-ji as there are fewer people and you’ll able to see people praying, meditating, or performing traditional rituals. It was built during the Edo period and survived the air raids of World War II. 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito, [phone], asakusajinja.jp. Open daily 9am-4:30pm. Admission is free.

Have Dinner with Ninjas For another unique dining experience, head to Ninja Akasaka, a ninja-themed restaurant designed like an Edo-era building, with waitstaff clothed in stereotypical all-black garb and trained in all sorts of tricks and illusions. You’ll order off old scrolls while being entertained by the skillful tricks of your server! It’s super fun.

Tokyu Plaza Akasaka, [phone], ninjaakasaka.com. Open daily 5pm-10:30pm (9:45pm on Sundays)

Drink in Golden Gai If you are looking for something interesting to do at night, this alley of backstreet bars is a cool spot to start at. There isn’t much going on here during the day, but come sundown, these zigzag hallways and closet-sized beer rooms are filled with interesting people and cheap drinks.

Tokyo Itinerary: Day 2 – Imperial Palace, Below the Girders, and Quirky Cafes

Stop by the Imperial Palace The Imperial Palace, home to the Emperor of Japan, is a terrific spot to learn about Japan’s history and culture. Formerly Edo Castle, it was built in the 15th century, and some of the walls and moats from that time are still in use to this day. When the Emperor moved from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1869, he took Edo for his new palace and renamed it the Imperial Palace.

Though you can’t go inside (or get super close), the building is amazing. It is surrounded by beautiful grounds and a park, and there’s a moat around the stone walls. You can also see the changing of the guard ceremony, though it’s relatively low-key and unassuming. Admission to the grounds is free.

Visit the National Art Center Opened in 2007, this museum and gallery doesn’t actually have a permanent collection but rather houses a never-ending series of temporary exhibitions, from impressionism to modern art. Check their website to see what is currently being shown.

7 Chome-22-2 Roppongi, [phone], nact.jp. Open Wednesday-Monday 10am-5:30pm. Admission varies by exhibit.

Eat Below the Girders Not far from Ginza is the Yurakucho neighborhood. Below the elevated train tracks at Yurakucho Station is a 700m-long stretch of restaurants and bars. There are wine bars, beer pubs, and casual restaurants filled with businessmen. If you want to get a sense of local city life, this is a good neighborhood to explore after the workday is over.

Superhero Go-Karting Want to speed around the streets of Tokyo in a go-kart while wearing a costume? Of course, you do! MariCar is a real-life Mario Bros. go-kart company that lets you dress up and race around the city. As long as you have an international driving permit (which you can get if you have a valid driver’s license), you can take part.

4-12-9 Sotokanda, [phone], maricar.com/en/akihabara.html. Open daily 10am-10pm. The course will take 1-2 hours and costs 9,000 JPY per person. There are multiple locations around the city.

Check out a Sento A sento is a traditional Japanese public bathhouse. The Japanese are not shy in sentos so you need to be comfortable with nudity! They are typically separated by gender. A budget-friendly sento will cost you just under 1,000 JPY.

Visit a Quirky Café Tokyo has all sorts of amazing, weird, and wonderful cafés. Monster cafés, owl cafés, cat cafés, vampire cafés, dog cafés, religious-themed cafés, and much more! If you’re looking for something unusual to do, see what weird and quirky cafés are near you (they’re all around the city so you never have to go far to find one!). Here are some suggestions:

Kawaii Monster Café

Vampire Café

Christon Café (Christian-themed café)

Dog Heart (dog café)

Cat Café Calico

Tokyo Itinerary: Day 3 – Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Robots

Stroll Around Shimokitazawa Brimming with vintage shops, this Bohemian neighborhood, often compared to the New York’s East Village showcases the quieter side of Tokyo. Whether you’re looking to shop or just want to take in the scene, it makes for a cool neighborhood to explore.

Stroll through Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden This park is over 144 acres with some 20,000 trees. Most of the original park was destroyed in World War II during the air raids but was rebuilt and reopened in 1949.

During spring, this beautiful park is one of the best spaces to see cherry blossoms. My favorite part is the Japanese landscape garden, which has several ponds with bridges and islands. It’s a peaceful little oasis within the hustle and bustle of the city.

11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku, [phone], env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/index.html. Open Tuesday-Sunday 9am-4pm. Admission is 200 JPY.

Visit Shibuya Crossing This is quite possibly the busiest and most famous intersection in the world. This area is buzzing at night, with bright lights and frenzied activity, like Times Square on steroids. Make sure to visit the statue between Shibuya Station and the intersection; it’s a tribute to Hachiko, the loyal dog made famous in the film Hachi: A Dog’s Tale.

Eat at the Robot Restaurant This restaurant is an absolute sensory overload. Lasers, robots, monsters…it has it all! It may be a tourist trap (not cheap), but it is epic, unlike anything you’ve ever seen and worth the price if you want to do something completely out of the ordinary!

1 Chome-7-1 Kabukicho, [phone], shinjuku-robot.com/pc. There are three performances a day on weekdays starting at 4:45pm, with afternoon matinees on weekends.

Hang with the Harajuku girls Harajuku is an electric and quirky part of town. You’ll often see teenage “Harajuku girls” walking around town in unique clothing and colorful hairstyles — imagine a 1990s Gwen Stefani video come to life. There’s also a monthly Harajuku Fashion Walk, in which costumed cos-players parade around — for dates, check out the group’s Twitter account (@harajuku_fw).

Experience a Tea Ceremony No visit to Japan is complete without experiencing a traditional tea ceremony. While these are usually long and expensive experiences, there are definitely some budget-friendly options for anyone looking to experience the ceremony without breaking the bank. Here are a few worth checking out:

Kyoto-kan (500 JPY per person, Yanmar Tokyo Building 1F 2-1-1)

Nadeshiko (2,700-4,400 JPY per person, 2-7-24-2F Asakusa)

The Way of Tea (5,500 JPY per person, Coredo Muromachi 3 3F)

Watch Traditional Japanese theatre Kabuki theatre is a traditional form of Japanese performance involving dance and drama. The costumes and makeup are heavily stylized, making for a very visual performance. The Kabukizaka Theatre, located in Ginza, is the best locale to see one of these incredible displays. You can purchase tickets for an entire show or just one act if you’re not ready to commit to a longer performance (they’re in Japanese and last a few hours).

4 Chome-12-15 Ginza, [phone], kabuki-za.co.jp. Performances are held almost daily. Check the website for the most up-to-date schedule. Expect to pay at least 1,000 JPY for a single-act ticket.

Tokyo Itinerary: Day 4 – Take a Day Trip

Time to take a break from the city and head out on a day trip. Here are some suggestions:

Visit Daibutsu (the Great Buddha) Make a day trip to Kamakura, where you can see a 13m bronze statue of Buddha. Built in 1252, the statue was initially constructed within a temple, but the temple was washed away — on several occasions — by storms. The statue now sits in the open air.

4 Chome-2-28 Hase, Kamakura, [phone], kotoku-in.jp. Open daily 8am-5:30pm. Admission is 200 JPY.

Get Touristy at Tokyo Disneyland I’m a sucker for Disney attractions! This is a fun choice for anyone traveling with children, but also for any adults who just love amusement parks. Opened in 1983, it has seven themed areas to explore and is the third most visited theme park in the world!

1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, [phone], tokyodisneyresort.jp/tdl. Open daily 8am-10pm. Admission is 7,400 JPY for adults and 4,800-6,400 JPY for children, depending on age.

Hike Mount Mitake Located just over an hour from Tokyo is Chichibu-Tama-Kai National Park. The park covers 1,250 square kilometers of rolling hills, mountains, and forests. There are plenty of hiking trails, though you can also take a cable car to the top and then hike to the shrine that sits on the peak, some 930m above sea level.

Gaze at Mt. Fuji from Hakone Located just over an hour from Tokyo, Hakone is one of the best places to get away from the city, relax for a few days, and take in the view of Mount Fuji. There are numerous guesthouses in the area, many with their own private onsen (hot springs).

Visit the Ghibli Museum If you’re a fan of famed director Hayao Miyazaki’s work (Spirited Away, Howl’s Moving Castle, Princess Mononoke), then you’ll want to check out this amazing exhibition. It was designed by Miyazaki himself and is an immersive experience that any film buff will appreciate. There is also a new short film every month, only available to visitors. The museum won’t take up a whole day, but it’s not in a very central location so you’ll need to plan accordingly.

1 Chome-1-83 Shimorenjaku, [phone], ghibli-museum.jp. Open Wednesday-Monday 10am-6pm. Admission is 1,900 JPY for adults, with discounts available for youth and children. There are limited tickets available each day so book in advance.

Tokyo Itinerary: Day 5 – Tokyo Tower, Sumo Match, and Samurai

Visit the Tokyo Tower Built in 1957 and resembling the Eiffel Tower, the Tokyo Tower is taller (at 333m) than its European version and made entirely of steel. You can pay to go all the way to the top floor to take in the view, but frankly, the main observation deck offers one that’s just as good.

4 Chome-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato, [phone], tokyotower.co.jp. Open daily 9am-11pm. Admission is 900 JPY for the main deck or 1,600 JPY for the top.

Visit the Samurai Museum No trip to Japan would be complete without learning about samurai. While they were known for their martial skill, there was much more to the culture than just mastering the katana (traditional swords). The museum has some incredible displays of traditional weapons and armor, some of which you can even try on.

Kabukicho 2-25-6, [phone], samuraimuseum.jp/en. Open daily 10:30am-9pm. Admission is 1,900 JPY per person. You can explore the museum on your own or in a group tour, which are conducted every 30 minutes.

Walk across the Rainbow Bridge This is the city’s most popular bridge and offers some lovely views of both sides of Tokyo Bay. Built in 1993, the bright lights up at night with rainbow colors — hence the name. It makes for a pleasant walk during the day or at night.

Watch a Sumo Match Kokugikan, Japan’s most famous sumo wrestling arena, hosts tournaments three times each year. The sumo wrestling that we see today dates back to the 17th century, though its origins date back even further, and it’s still one of the most popular traditions in the country. If you’re in town at the right time, this is a must-do! Tickets sell out quickly so act quick. A visit to one of the sumo stables nearby can be interesting but must be arranged well in advance.

1 Chome-3-2-8 Yokoami, Sumida, [phone], sumo.or.jp/kokugikan. Ticket prices vary, but expect to pay around 2,200 JPY.

Drinks at the Park Hyatt New York Bar is the iconic bar from Sofia Coppola’s 2003 film Lost in Translation. Located on the 52nd floor, it actually lives up to the hype of the film. The atmosphere is classy, the drinks are great, and the view is absolutely stunning. There is live jazz every night, and while there is a cover charge (around 2,500 JPY), it’s definitely worth it!

3-7-1-2 Nishishinjuku, [phone], hyatt.com. Open Sunday-Wednesday 5pm-12am and Thursday-Saturday 5pm-1am.

Where to Eat

Tokyo is so huge and has so many dining options, that it would be impossible to pick just two or three favorites. Here are just a few of my favorite restaurants in Tokyo:

Bifteck Kawamura Ginza – The steak here basically melted in my mouth and exploded with flavor. I found it a bit too high-end and overpriced for me though. 6 Chome-5-1 Ginza, Ginza MST Bldg. 8F, Chuo, 104-0061, [phone], bifteck.co.jp.

Ichiran Shibuya – This ramen spot served one of the best meals I had my entire trip. The thick, flavorful broth is to die for. I also like how you eat in your own little private booth. Funky. Expect a wait during peak lunch and dinner times. 1 Chome-22-7 Jinnan, Shibuya, 150-0041, [phone], en.ichiran.com/index.php.

Isakaya Juban – A little hole-in-the-wall izakaya restaurant (think Japanese tapas) with locals getting drunk on sake and eating tasty small plates. I was big fan of its salmon and grilled squid. 2 Chome-1-2 Azabujuban, Minato, 106-0045, [phone], izakayajuban.com.

Kakimaru – An amazing seafood and tapas place. Be sure to get the oysters. Note: While Google Maps will list the restaurant as Kakimaru, when you go there, the restaurant will be called Uohama. 6 Chome-1-6 Roppongi, Minato, 106-0032, [phone].

Standing Sushi Bar – This standing sushi location is one of many in town. It’s great for a quick bite: you stand, eat sushi, and get out. It has a robust menu and it’s cheap! 1 Chome-12-12 Nishishinjuku, Kasai Bldg. 1F, Shinjuku, 160-0023, [phone], uogashi-nihonichi.com.

Tenmatsu Tempura – The tempura here is well known for its lightness. It’s a small establishment with set tempura menus. 1 Chome-8-2 Nihonbashimuromachi, Chuo, 103-0022, [phone], tenmatsu.com/english.html.

For more places to eat, check out this post on the best places to eat in Tokyo.

Extra Resources

To see what other fun and interesting activities are going on in the city during your visit, here are a few magazines and websites you’ll want to check out:

Time Out Tokyo

Tokyo Weekender

Tokyo Journal

Metropolis Japan

*** Tokyo is a massive city. You could spend a lifetime here and still not discover everything there is to see. But if you follow the itinerary and suggestions above, you’ll be able to have a fun and insightful visit and leave this sprawling capital with a nuanced perspective of what life in Tokyo is like. Best of all, you’ll be able to do it without breaking the bank!

Book Your Trip to Japan: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the most comprehensive inventory so they are best for booking a hostel. If you want to stay in a hotel or guesthouse in Japan, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. They’re the best booking site out there. My favorite places to stay in Japan are:

Khaosan Tokyo Kabuki (Tokyo) – This is one of the best hostels in the country. The staff go above and beyond, each room has its own bathroom, and it’s in a great location to help you explore the city.

Sheena and Ippei – This hostel is super homey, and the owners are both helpful and knowledgable. The lounge is open to everyone, and you can enjoy appetizers and sake on the weekends.

Hostel Chapter Two Tokyo – This is a small, family-run hostel in Asakusa. There’s a great view of the river and the dorms seem new and immaculately clean.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and I think will help you too!

Looking for more travel tips for Japan Check out my in-depth Japan travel guide for more ways to save money, costs, tips on what to see and do, suggested itineraries, reading, packing lists, and much, much more!

The post How to Spend Your Time in Tokyo: A Suggested Itinerary for 2019 appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

source https://www.nomadicmatt.com/travel-blogs/tokyo-itinerary/

[gaijinginger]

Days 2-3: Shinjuku Nights

If you wanted to create a circle of hell for claustrophobic anticapitalist luddites, it would look a lot like Shinjuku. Everything has a price tag, everything blinks and beeps and flashes LED and neon lights, and it’s really, really, really, really dense. Whoever came up with the concept of cyberpunk probably logged some serious hours here. So far, I absolutely love it.

I got up yesterday at around 7am, and again took full advantage of the complimentary breakfast provided by my first hostel. I checked out at around 9:30AM, and made my way over to Shinjuku via the ever-Byzantine Tokyo metro. Nothing could have prepared me for what I found when I stepped out of the subway about 20 minutes later.

Shinjuku looks like what would happen if you let someone who has spent their entire life making online pop-up ads design a city. Garish signs in every color and font imaginable (all in Japanese, of course), stick out from every surface, and music and voices blare from unseen speaker boxes everywhere. I know in my last post I said Akihabara looks like Blade Runner threw up on itself; Shinjuku takes that concept and pushes it to the limits of the laws of physics. It is Blade Runner throwing up on itself, squared, then squared again. I can’t even imagine what it’s like for people who can actually read every sign. Even as someone who can’t understand Hiragana, it’s nothing short of information overload.

Combine this with the fact that on any given day, about 1,000,000 people pass through the Shinjuku metro station at the center of the neighborhood. Each and every one of them was present during my first day in the area, yet another instance of physically feeling the scale of Tokyo.

Before I left for Japan, I spoke extensively with a friend of mine from China about the mental dynamics of being on the other side of the world. One comment he offered stuck with me- being alone in a foreign country, even moreso in one where you don’t know anyone, comes with a terrifying degree of freedom. You are the master of your own destiny to a degree that, for some, can be nothing short of panic attack inducing. What’s interesting to me is that this didn’t really fully hit me until yesterday afternoon, sitting at a small restaurant in central Shinjuku eating short rib and black curry over rice (which really deserves its own blog post). As I sat there, mixing the meat, curry and rice together to form a homogenous slurry of deliciousness, I realized that I have complete agency for the next 10 days in a way that I’m very unaccustomed to. It’s a lot of freedom. I’m really enjoying it.

I wasn’t able to move into my new hotel until 3, so I spent most of the afternoon yesterday walking around Shinjuku, then took a few hours and did the same thing in Harajuku, a nearby neighborhood that’s essentially the SoHo to Shinjuku’s Times Square. Scores of the most meticulously-dressed young people I’ve ever seen pouring through boutiques of the world’s most expensive brands. That’s about it, but that in itself was quite the scene. Some dynamite people watching at the very least.

My new hotel is quite the experience. While my last one was clearly designed for foreign visitors, this is very much a capsule hotel and the vast majority of the other guests are Japanese men, most seemingly on business trips. My room is a lot smaller; the dimensions are now around 6’*4’*4’ so I can’t fully stand up inside, and the floor I’m on is packed significantly more densely. But the location is absolutely amazing. It’s like living in Times Square (although Times Square looks like Wyoming compared to most of Shinjuku).

A very interesting detail of my new hotel- there’s one big shower, and it’s communal. Locker room style. So I made a lot of older Japanese men visibly uncomfortable yesterday (and again this afternoon), and in doing so got significantly out of my comfort zone. A pretty memorable aspect of the experience, to be sure. I’m not going to lie, it felt pretty great.

Once I moved all my stuff into my new hotel, showered and got settled, I set out to check one of the biggest boxes on my Tokyo itinerary: getting a drink at the New York Bar on the 52nd floor of the Park Hyatt Tokyo. While I don’t consider it to objectively be the best movie ever made, I always say Lost In Translation is my favorite movie when people ask. Those of you who’ve seen it will know that the bar features heavily in several pivotal scenes in the film, and so I had to make a point to go.

So that was a lot of fun. Sipping what was admittedly the lightest dark and stormy I’ve ever had (I was planning on asking for a Suntory, the whiskey that Bill Murray’s character in the movie is in Tokyo to pitch, but they don’t have it on the menu, probably because people kept being “that guy” and coming to the bar solely because of the movie), and taking in some live jazz. The fact that there was an actual jazz band playing that night (as there was in the movie) was icing on the cake of what was a really fantastic experience. Two drinks and $60 (oof, but so so worth it) later, I headed back to my hotel and crawled into my sleep box, one sizeable check mark off my bucket list.

This morning, I woke up at around 8 and took advantage of my second hotel’s complimentary breakfast, which was significantly underwhelming in comparison to the first. I still managed three small cups of iced coffee, but my food consisted of what looked and tasted like a chocolate and marshmallow fluff empanada, and a cold hamburger with a nacho-cheese like spread on it. All of the above came out of several vending machines on the third floor of my hotel. So naturally after that I went out to find some real food, and settled on some battered meat skewers with rice and a bowl of noodles at a nearby hole in the wall. At a few restaurants I’ve been to now, you plug your order into a literal vending machine at the front of the restaurant. The machine spits out a ticket stub with a number corresponding to what you ordered, and then you hand this to whoever’s behind the counter. For me, who still only knows maybe three words of Japanese, this is about as good as it gets.

After that, I made my way over to Yasukuni Shrine, a Shinto shrine which commemorates all those who died in the service of Japan from 1869 through 1947. There’s a corresponding museum next to the shrine which goes through Japanese military history up through the end of World War 2, and yet again I found myself experiencing profound grief and guilt-by-association at the actions of my country. Lots of crying Japanese people at the museum. I found myself getting a little misty at times, especially in one room filled with the death poems of Japanese soldiers and in front of one letter written by a Japanese Admiral to FDR that I’ll attach a picture of after this (this museum in particular didn’t paint him very well, although it also referred to the Rape of Nanking as the “Nanking Incident”). As I said in my last post, war is always shades of grey. This museum made me more aware of that than ever. I’m not usually one for bowing, but I paid my respects as sincerely as I could at the shrine after exiting the museum.

I followed up Yasukuni with a visit to the National Museum of Modern Art, which will be best shown through the pictures to follow. If you’re into modern art and you’re in Tokyo, go. It’s fantastic. I followed the museum up with a late lunch of beef over udon noodles at a little shop near the museum, and now I’m back at my hostel again, typing away overlooking Shinjuku in the lounge area. I’m hoping to hit either Golden Gai or the Robot Restaurant tonight (google either/both), I’ll be back in the next few days with another update soon!

[heynerds]

Japan <3

BEFORE YOU COME 1. SIM CARD Better to have a SIM CARD to browse the Internet here. Japan is a bit complicated and even though people are speaking more and more english, still very hard. You can buy one online at the eConnect web and have it delivered at the airport. Recently you can also buy at the Airport or if already in the city at the BIG CAMERA shops.

2. JR PASS The best way to travel by bullet train. If you are planning to travel at least twice the pass is already useful, since the bullet trains are so expensive. You HAVE to buy before coming, online or at your travel agency. __ IN JAPAN

My favorite neighborhoods are:

1. Shimokitazawa: A good place for eating, playing at arcade games, going karaoke and drinking. Young crowd, sub-culture kids, record stores and chaos.

• Hanbei (Bar/Restaurant) • Cage Shimokitazawa (Restaurant / Miscellaneous events)  • Mother (Bar) • Tico (Bar) • Nikujiru Gyoza (Restaurant / Bar) • MokoMoko (Karaoke) • Space Orbit (Chill Space Bar gallery *15 min walking from Shimokitazawa)

2. Koenji • Dog Berry (Restaurant/Bar) • Kushikatsu Tanaka (Restaurant/Bar) • Planet 3rd (Restaurant) • Hatifinatti (Restaurant)

3. Kichijoji  • Hatifinatti (Restaurant) • Harmonica Yokocho (Alley with bars and restaurants) • Inokashira Park (Specially on Sundays, because there is a market)

__ For Art Lovers TOKYO • 2121 Gallery • Mori Museum • National Art Center • MoT Museum • 3331 Chiyoda • Hara Museum OUTSIDE TOKYO • 21st century museum (Kanazawa) • Naoshima • Teshima (The most beautiful museum in the world) __ For Party People • Bonobo • The Oath • Aoyama Tunnel • Space Orbit • Vent • Air  • Ruby Room

__ What I recommend you not to do, but you can do anyway (=P)

1. Tokyo Tower and Sky Tree 2. Fish Market 3. Stay/visit Roppongi for a night out 4. Robot restaurant 5. Eat/Drink at the Golden Gai (Go just for sightseeing and prefer eating and eating at Ebisu Yokocho or Harmonica Yokocho) 6. Stay more than 3 days in Kyoto (Definitely too much) 7. Waste too much time in Harajuku 8. Odaiba

What you have to do before leaving: 1. Karaoke, specially with friends and drunk 2. Picnic if weather is good 3. Purikura (photo machine at the game centers) 4. Eat at one Yokocho (Ebisu, Kichijoji) 5. See the city from the top (For free at Shinjuku Municipal building or at the Mori Museum Sky view) 6. Onsen and sightseeing around Hakone 7. Easy hiking to Mount Takao from Tokyo 8. Eat Okonomiyaki, Takoyaki, Kushikatsu __ OUT OF THE BEATING TRACK Places out of the tourist areas, hard to get, but amazing to try 1. Okinawan Yokocho - Daitabashi (Restaurants, bars and art gallery) 2. Flick Chick Bake + Capca - Higashi Nagasaki (Restaurant/ Bar/ Artspace) 3. Hatos Outside - Shimotakaido (Bar) 4. Soup - Ochiai (Experimental Music) 5. Lug - Hatagaya (Restaurant and Bike culture) 6. Aburamen - Sakurajosui (Special Dry ramen *My favorite) 7. Gotokuji Temple - Gotokuji (Temple) 8. Kinuta Park (Setagaya) 9. Fudoson Ryusenji (Temple) 

[reversed-hierophant-blog]

35 facts about velvet!

buckle in lads because this got long

velvet welch is, if you haven’t guessed, not japanese! wow, surprising, i know. they were born in the united states, and moved to tokyo about a year and a half ago. they’re of white, syrian, and libyan descent— mostly syrian, though, although i don’t have the exact percentages figured out. 

their family is christian— southern baptist, specifically.  velvet is not, even though they were raised baptist. however, they are extremely spiritual. 

(velvet welch isn’t their birth name btw, but it is the name they have listed on all of their official japanese papers. they’d really prefer if you don’t try to pry and figure out what their dead name is.)

fun fact: i got their name from an old 90s instructional video teaching old people how to use the internet. i’m not joking. this was yuro’s idea.

they’re from myrtle beach, south carolina! as the name suggests, it’s a beach town. and as that implies, they love the ocean? it’s like home to them. i could go on and on with this fact alone because i may or may not have been self indulgent and plopped them in a city i’ve visited multiple times a year for like, the past ten years of my life, but. 

velvet’s family consists of their parents and their eleven-year-old sister, rachel! she really looks up to them, and they used to babysit her when she was younger. they’re really good with kids, which is surprising for a lex character.

velvet makes friendship bracelets when they’re bored, anxious, or trying to relax. it’s something they picked up when they were fourteen— their sister wanted to try it out, and velvet (as her babysitter) ended up getting into it as well. she eventually grew out of it (after like, a couple months), but velvet still enjoys it. they usually wear a bunch of bracelets, and will carry around half-finished ones. it calms them down. they will make bracelets for your oc. 

this is the important one, guys: they have a pet cockatoo. she’s going into the game with them because she’s kind of a handful and they didn’t feel right leaving her with their flatmates. her name is felt. she’s basically a small child and velvet adores her. good birb. 

oh yeah, they’re sharing an apartment with some friends, i may or may not make a separate post about them at a later date. 

they love animals in general (and i mean looooooove), and have always grown up around them. their parents have two dogs, their other friends have a bunch of cats, they had a hamster growing up, and they’d really like getting more pets in the future once they have a bigger living space.

velvet is a huge furry, and their fursona is a goat! one of these days i’ll draw it. also hashtag kinfeels. this is why you’ll see me calling them the goat kid a lot, btw. 

their first job was working at a candy store! they love sugar tbh. they’re especially fond of things like sour gummi worms and ring pops, but they like most sweets in general.

they also really love soft serve ice cream! like, a lot. there’s a place on the boardwalk that boasts over 100 flavors of soft serve, and it’s their aesthetic. they especially like chocolate soft serve dipped in a cherry shell!

they wear those LED light up sneakers. like. these

they’re a capricorn! i’m planning on filling out a natal chart for them soon. i associate them with the hierophant card, followed by the devil, the high priestess, and the star! 

they fucking love cool ass rocks. they’re also a steven universe fan. i think their favorite rocks are bismuth, any kind of quartz (especially aura quartzes), opal, and amethyst? i have no idea what their gemsona is yet.

they have four piercings— both ears, a septum, and a medusa! they’ve considered getting more. if they were to get more, they’d probably want a bridge piercing, a labret (maybe? that or snake bites, but not both), and/or probably some extra ear piercings. not sure if they’d go for an industrial bar there but [shrugs]

they've recently been trying to learn how to cook, with varying degrees of success. they’re not bad just..... still in the process of learning. and they’re fairly forgetful

[ear trauma implied?] velvet suffers hearing loss in their left ear and wears a hearing aid! 

they love glitter. especially in their makeup. they’re also the kind of person that’ll wear cute little stickers on their face for fun. they also like rainbow sprinkles and confetti

they follow a bunch of stimming accounts on instagram? they’ve made slime for themself before, and really like that kind of stuff in general. they like slime and frosting stuff more than kinetic sand and paints, though.

they own a bunch of decks, including:

the starchild tarot (which i desperately want)

the 1980s tarot deck 

the hardy tarot deck

the golden thread tarot

tbh i can’t decide between this, this, or this so i might just say they have all three

they also have the food fortunes deck but that one isn’t an actual tarot deck. it was a holiday gift

their hogwarts house is hufflepuff, and their god tier is the seer of light! yeah, they’re rose lalonde. they’re also an ESFP, a chaotic good, sanguine, and enneagram 2w3 (the giver)! they’re right-handed, type B blood, and yes i’m throwing all of the cheap facts together in one slot.

they know english and japanese! their japanese isn’t perfect, and sometimes they don’t make sense, but they’re trying. they also know ASL, but don’t practice it often, so they’re not that great at it. 

i feel like their handwriting would be similar to the woodlands? in english, they write in cursive! 

they love sweet tea. i don’t get it. i live in the south and i fucking hate sweet tea. but, in general, tea is their drink of choice? whether its iced or hot! herbal teas are super nice too, but you gotta be in the right mood for them, y’know? otherwise, they like strawberry lemonade.

alright lets break out the musical aus because you know i love them:

in hamilton, they’d be john laurens

in heathers, they keep accidentally being JD when I AU with sieves, but in all honesty they’d probably be ms fleming

reefer madness? jimmy harper

(”what musical do you associate the most with them, lex?” ha ha, well, that’s a secret)

i mentioned this in my earlier post, but they currently live in ikebukuro! they love the city aesthetic, almost as much as they love the boardwalk aesthetic. 

they’re also a huge fan of like.... idk how to describe it but? they like kitschy cheap tourist-trap souvenir shops with bright neon hoodies advertising the city (side note— they fucking hate that tan / pale blue “life is better at the beach” style of home decor. hate it. their parents love it.). on this note, the gay dolphin. it’s legendary. truly a landmark in myrtle beach. 

and they like... i don’t know how to describe this flavor of psychic advertisement. they also really love miss cleo commercials. because i love miss cleo. they also binge watch old 90s commercials sometimes. because i binge watch old 90s commercials sometimes. they also like that old VHS tape aesthetic. and neons. 

they prefer animated movies and tv shows tbh, and cry over them a lot. their favorite movies include howl’s moving castle, song of the sea, zootopia, and bee movie finding nemo? all animation is good tho. they also really love pokemon!

they’re kinda lowkey goth. on the inside. they went through a (closeted, as best as they could do when their parents would kill them if they get scenekid hair) scene phase when they were younger (it was kind of embarrassing in hindsight), and a lot of their friends are goth, so they still really appreciate the subculture, even if their everyday style is more colorful and floral and obnoxiously neon at times. on occasion, they’ll get dressed up in something trad, but...

they absolutely hate feeling stuffy and restricted in their clothes— you’d be hard pressed to catch them dead in a button-up shirt and trousers and a sportcoat. not happening unless the suit is bright pink or otherwise fun. 

they keep a dream journal! i hate that this became a popular meme.

they’re gay  (...pansexual and very polyamorous, to be exact, and prone to getting crushes on their friends and being super affectionate in general but. gay)

#ooc #velvet information

[biofunmy]

Where to Stay, and Where to Eat Noodle Soup, in Ho Chi Minh City

For a place with so much history — decades of wartime and occupation have left their scars — Ho Chi Minh City (still often referred to as Saigon) feels surprisingly new. The metropolis is constantly reinventing itself, and when you consider that the U.S. trade embargo was lifted only 25 years ago, and that the majority of the city’s population is under 35 years old, you begin to understand why.

A short period of overwhelming foreign investment, plus rapid urbanization and a booming labor force, has established Vietnam as one of the fastest growing economies in the world, with vibrant, stylish, youthful Ho Chi Minh City at its forefront. And while increasingly taller buildings continue to reshape the skyline, the city remains firmly in touch with tradition. After all, you can still find the best street-side bowl of pork vermicelli in the city (at the intersection of Nguyen Trung Truc and Le Loi) mere blocks away from a sprawling Louis Vuitton store.

It’s that dichotomy — between a 50-cent scooter ride and a $150 omakase, for example — that has turned visitors into residents and residents into the new business owners who diversify the city’s ever-evolving cultural landscape. In particular, Viet Kieu, the children and grandchildren of refugees who fled the country during the war — the same generation that has led much of the Vietnamese renaissance happening stateside (for instance, the poet and novelist Ocean Vuong and chef Dennis Ngo of the restaurant Di An Di in New York) — are returning to their roots and inspiring contemporary perspectives on Saigonese fashion, food and art. Here, a guide to Ho Chi Minh City’s many attractions.

The Myst Dong Khoi

Located just steps from the 68-floor Bitexco Financial Tower, the soaring beacon of downtown, and Ho Chi Minh City’s main commercial drag, Dong Khoi, the 108-room Myst feels like a much-needed oasis in the otherwise chaotic, noisy metropolis. Tropical plants grow wildly from the balconies inset around the building’s white exterior, while inside, the generously sized, minimally appointed rooms — with touches of Vietnamese craftsmanship seen in hand-carved rosewood benches and ceramic drums — are shielded from the onslaught of honks and horns outside. themystdongkhoihotel.com

Hotel des Arts

Ho Chi Minh City has accommodation options for visitors of every budget, but until the Hotel des Arts opened in 2015, it wasn’t easy to find a boutique hotel with both modern amenities and charm. Built in the style of the grand French Indochine-era institutions described in Graham Greene’s 1955 novel, “The Quiet American,” the hotel sits in the heart of District 1 but feels a world away from the tourists and bustle of the city center. From the hotel’s buzzing Social Club Rooftop Bar, which has some of the best panoramic views of the city, you can get a firsthand look at just how much the neighboring blocks are changing day by day. hoteldesartssaigon.com

Eat

Anan and Nhau Nhau

Nowhere is the convergence of old and new Ho Chi Minh City more apparent than on Ton That Dam Street. Here, vendors of the street market Cho Cu (literally Old Market) proffer fried rice-cakes and produce to the sound of portable karaoke machines, while tucked away at the center of the block is chef Peter Cuong Franklin’s pioneering experimental new-Vietnamese restaurant Anan. On the second floor is the more casual, more boozy Nhau Nhau (which translates to “drink, drink”), a retro-style bar outfitted with old Khanh Ly and Mai Le Huyen records, and ceramic tiles that recall the city’s prewar glory. But that allegiance to the past stops just short of the menu, which features innovative mash-ups like banh xeo tacos and foie gras imperial rolls. anansaigon.com

Traditional Street Food

Anyone with even cursory knowledge of Vietnamese cuisine is aware of pho (and of how readily it can be found in Vietnamese-American enclaves like San Jose, Calif., and Houston), but in Ho Chi Minh City, you’d be remiss not to explore some of the funkier, more complex noodle soups of the region: a crab-and-tomato broth cradling fresh snails and fried fish cake at Bun Rieu Cua Oc (66 Nguyen Thai Binh); the pork rib and Vietnamese charcuterie in clear broth punctuated with fermented shrimp paste at Bun Moc Thanh Mai (14 Truong Dinh); or the dry noodles with wontons and lardons at Hu Tieu Mi Co Giang (176 Bis Phuong Co Giang).

Little Japan Town

Of the many expat groups in Ho Chi Minh City, the Japanese community is the most visible — particularly within the block of alleys known as Little Japan Town (bordered by Le Thanh Ton and Thai Van Lung). A favorite of businessmen and young Vietnamese partygoers alike, the area is the city’s answer to Golden Gai, Tokyo’s famous district of hole-in-the-wall bars, and it’s similarly jam-packed with izakayas, noodle shops and massage parlors. Look out for Tori Soba Mutahiro (8A/A1bis Thai Van Lung), a tiny restaurant that makes a bowl of ramen — the rich, chicken fat-slick broth sharpened with shreds of fresh ginger — that rivals the best in Japan; Mangetsu shochu bar (at the base of the Azumaya Hotel), where you can polish off your yakitori with a pickled plum sour; and Powers (8A/2B1 Thai Van Lung), a rooftop taqueria where you’ll find Japanese skaters and surfers queuing up ’90s hip-hop on YouTube while downing ice-cold pints of Sapporo.

Shop

Hey Camel

At the end of one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most picturesque residential alleys in District 3 lies the ceramics studio and shop Hey Camel. Using traditional Vietnamese stoneware and glazes, the ceramist Leandro Marcelino brings together local materials and techniques with inspiration from his upbringing in the Canary Islands. His collection of vases and mugs adorned with a singular colorful eye, for example, reference both the Moroccan influences of his birthplace and the Cao Dai religion of south Vietnam. heycamel.com

The New Playground

Streetwear defines the fashion in Ho Chi Minh City, and the scene’s epicenter is the underground mall the New Playground, a maze of stores catering to shoppers with a penchant for cross-body bags and neon green. The brainchild of Ryan Son Hoang, one of a collective of young creative people in Ho Chi Minh City who’ve branded themselves 42 the Hood, the complex is worth a visit (even if you don’t need a new harness) just to observe the style-obsessed youth culture. instagram.com/thenewplayground

Moi Dien

For those with a more polished sensibility, the unisex line Moi Dien, which recently opened its first store, offers sculptural silhouettes and playful pieces in drapey, languid fabrics. The line’s founder, Tom Trandt Minh Dao, a Parsons graduate who returned to Vietnam after his studies and working abroad, is one of a handful of up-and-coming designers and brands (Nguyen Hoang Tu and Aeie Studios among them) who are bridging the gap between the country’s rich history of textile production and contemporary experimental fashion. moidien.com

Doan Lo to Sai Gon Tan Thoi at Rubik Zoo

Ho Chi Minh City might not have a defined gay district, but it makes up for it with a host of new L.G.B.T.Q. venues and parties throughout the city. Within its emerging drag show circuit, the Doan Lo to Sai Gon Tan Thoi (or The Modern Saigon) is perhaps the most authentic and uniquely Vietnamese production. Based in the Southern countryside tradition of “lo to,” a form of cabaret starring drag queens, the show centers on a musical bingo game, accompanied by interactive performances — done to by both traditional folk music and modern pop songs — that carefully reveal the winning numbers. Rubik Zoo, 1 Bis Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street

289e

Independent venues for contemporary art are few and far between in Ho Chi Minh City but one of the most exciting new spaces is the self-described “art bar” 289e. The multidisciplinary venue and cocktail lounge is housed within an old tenement apartment on the second floor of a Modernist cement housing block, and hosts weekly film screenings, musical performances and rotating exhibitions. instagram.com/289e.nct

Suoi Tien Theme Park

There is no shortage of beautiful temples and shrines in Ho Chi Minh City, but travel just 20 minutes northeast of the center and you’ll encounter a very different kind of religious monument: the fascinating, at times eerie, Buddha-themed Suoi Tien amusement park. Here, gaudy, oversize sculptures of dragons and neon-haloed Buddhas lead the way to a water park where slides emerge from sages’ beards. The highlight (if you can call it that) is an underground house-of-horrors designed to evoke a descent through a Buddhist hell. suoitien.com

Southern Women’s Museum

Many of Ho Chi Minh City’s streets are named after notable women, and in 1995 the state took a further step in honoring its female citizens and established the Southern Women’s Museum. The institution comprises four floors of relics and photographs relating to the history of Vietnamese women and their impact on the development and liberation of the country. The ground floor is entirely devoted to the ao dai, the Vietnamese national dress consisting of a side-split tunic and trousers, which has been a unifier throughout the country’s rich, and often difficult, history. baotangphunu.com

Sahred From Source link Travel

from WordPress http://bit.ly/2NmIlkH via IFTTT

#IFTTT #WordPress

[erfigh]

TOKIO - TOKYO: 50 POSTS QUE AYUDAN PARA VIAJAR [3]

Tokyo - Shibuya, Yoyogi Park, Meiji Shrine, Getting Lost and Ramen with the Locals | Travel Blog

RECOMMENDED TOKYO ITINERARIES with Estimated Budget: 1 Day to 8 Days | The Poor Traveler Itinerary Blog

Asakusa, Yanaka, Ueno y Akihabara. Primer contacto con Tokio | Callejeando por el mundo

El parque de Hitsujiyama en Chichibu | Kirai

¿Qué hacer en Tokio en 48 horas? | Teleaire Multimedia

5 Awesome Places To Go In Tokyo Japan | Dotting the Map

Paseo aleatorio por Tokio – 1 | Kirai

40 Cosas qué ver y hacer en Tokio | Viviendo de Viaje

Dormir en un hotel capsula en Tokio | Las sandalias de Ulises

A Kaleidoscope of Perpetual Motion: Fuchu’s Kurayami festival, Tokyo | Adventures in Wonderland

Qué ver en Tokio barrio a barrio. ¡Lo que no te puedes perder! | A bordo del mundo

Shibuya, Harajuku y Omotesando. Segundo día en Tokio | Callejeando por el mundo

Best Coffee & Brunch in Tokyo | Travel With Nano B.

Viajar a Tokio: el mercado de Tsukiji | Japonismo

Visiter Tokyo en une journée en escale | Voyages et vagabondages

Osaka y Tokyo entre las ciudades más habitables del 2018 | Conoce Japón

In questo locale puoi pagare il conto… lavorando | SiViaggia

Museo Mori. Un paseo cultural por Tokyo | INFOJAPAN

Tokyo to Mount Fuji Day Trip by Train or Bus (Off-Season) | The Culture Map

Tokio (2018) - Que hacer y que ver en la capital de Japón | Mochileros en Tailandia

Odaiba, Ginza y Manurouchi o la estación de Tokio | Callejeando por el mundo

Paseo aleatorio por Tokio – 2 | Kirai

Ohmygosh Omikoshi! Shinto festivals in Tokyo. | Adventures in Wonderland

Visiter Tokyo: mon guide pratique! | La Fille Voyage

Qué ver en Tokio en 3 días - la metrópoli más grande del mundo | La Cosmopolilla

La catedral de Santa María en Tokio | Kirai

Postcards From Japan: Top Things To Do In Tokyo | Wanderlust Chloe

Where to Stay in Tokyo - Best Neighborhoods and Accommodation | Adventurous Kate

Excursión a Kamakura desde Tokio | Kolaboo

Cosa vedere a Tokyo se avete a disposizione 3 giorni | Cocco On The Road

Hostales baratos en Tokio mas recomendados - Capsulas y dormitorios | Mochileros en Tailandia

Que hacer en Tokio (2018 ) - Itinerario de 3 días + Excursiones | Mochileros en Tailandia

Excursión a Nikko desde Tokio - Blog de Viajes | Kolaboo

¿Cuál es la mejor zona para alojarse en Tokio? | Dar vuelta al mundo

Tokio en 2 días: un plan para disfrutar de la ciudad | Mi Viaje

Tokio | EL GUSANILLO VIAJERO

Excursiones desde Tokio: Kisarazu, entre doramas y tanukis | Japonismo

Razones para visitar Tokio | The World Thru My Eyes

Golden Gai: el laberinto de los bares minúsculos | Japonko

Boire un verre au bar du Park Hyatt de Tokyo | Un Jour en Calédonie

Viajar a Tokio: El santuario Hie de Akasaka | Japonismo

Une semaine à Tokyo : impressions et visites à ne pas rater | Kowala

Où acheter son matériel photo à Tokyo ? | Un Jour en Calédonie

L'observatoire de la mairie de Tokyo | Un Jour en Calédonie

What is Tokyo Like? Things to Love About Japan’s Capital City | borders of adventure

Barrios de Tokio [MAPAS + QUÉ VER + ITINERARIOS] | comiviajeros

Qué ver en Tokio en 5 días [GUÍA + ITINERARIO + VÍDEO] | comiviajeros

¿Qué ver en Tokio?: Guía temática de la ciudad | Dar vuelta al mundo

Barrios de Tokio: IKEBUKURO [MAPA + QUÉ VER + ITINERARIO | comiviajeros

The best things to do in Tokyo at night: A complete guide | Time Travel Turtle

Sensoji Temple.  Foto: Pixabay

#IFTTT #Blogger

[kgbinwanderland]

This blog post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my Disclaimer.

30 Things to Do in Tokyo on Your First Visit | Attractions and Activities [Updated 2019]

I instantly fell in love with Tokyo the first time I visited this vibrant and bustling city. I love everything about it: the bright lights, the cleanliness, the delicious food, the kind and honest locals, and the variety of things to do while in the city!

I’ve never had any bad experience when I travel to Japan. It is one of the safest countries in the world and if I could, I would love to experience living here someday. Did I mention that everyone is just so nice? Even with a language barrier, the Japanese will still go out of their way to help you. The care that they put in everything that they do is admirable.

And the food, oh the food! If you’re worried about setting a budget for food when you travel, you really don’t have to! From the cheapest to the fanciest, it’s guaranteed to be delicious. The budget-conscious will be pleased to know that convenience stores in Tokyo (in the whole of Japan actually) are nothing like anywhere in the world. You can literally live off eating at convenience stores during your visit. The quality is never compromised even if it’s just fast food. But eating just fast food is no fun right? With the endless number of ramen and sushi shops, izakayas and other specialty restaurants, your tummy will always be full and happy. I’ve never had a bad meal when I was in Tokyo!

You won’t run out of ideas on what to do in a city like Tokyo. There are literally thousands of things to do, see and eat. In this post, I’ve narrowed it down to top 30 things to do in Tokyo that’s perfect for first and even second-time visitors.

*Most admission/tour tickets are available for purchase online and are usually at a discounted rate. To help you plan your trip and get the best deals, I have provided (affiliate) links from one of the most trusted Travel Providers — Klook and Viator. If you click a link to a certain product, I might earn a small commission from it – at no extra cost to you. Any concern you may have regarding your purchase must be directed to the website or service provider.

TOP ACTIVITIES TO DO IN TOKYO, JAPAN

1. TOKYO DISNEYLAND

Let the fun begin by spending a day in Tokyo Disneyland. Expect a classic Disneyland experience that’s ideal for families traveling with young children. Duration: Whole day Location: 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba 279-0031, Japan Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM How to get there: By JR Musashino Line to Maihama Station. The entrance to Disneyland is a 5-minute walk from the station.

Buy tickets here: Tokyo Disneyland 1 Day Pass (Airport Pick-up) OR Tokyo Disney 2-Day Pass (Airport or Shinjuku Pick-up)

2. TOKYO DISNEYSEA

If there are no kids traveling with you and you can only pick one Disney park to go to during your trip, I suggest that you go to Tokyo DisneySea. The rides and over-all ambiance of the park are more suitable and appealing to adult park-goers. Duration: Whole day Location: 1 −１３ Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba 279-0031, Japan Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM How to get there: By JR Musashino Line to Maihama Station. Then take the Disney Resort Line and get off at Tokyo DisneySea Station

Buy tickets here: Tokyo DisneySea 1 Day Pass (Airport Pick-up) OR Tokyo Disney 2-Day Pass (Airport or Shinjuku Pick-up)

3. SHIBUYA CROSSING

You can’t leave Tokyo without joining the scramble at the Shibuya Crossing. Get the perfect viewpoint from the second floor Starbucks at the Shibuya’s Q-Front building and watch one of the busiest pedestrian crossings in the world in action. How to get there: By JR Shonan-Shinjuku or Yamanote Line OR Subway Fukutoshin Line to Shibuya Station, take Hachiko Exit 8

Travel Tip: Get your camera ready before you even cross the infamous Shibuya Scramble Crossing. I prefer taking videos, it’s much more fun and you get to relive the experience over and over again!

4. SAY HELLO TO HACHIKO

It’s almost customary to pay a visit to the statue of Hachiko, located just outside the Shibuya Station and adjacent to the Crossing. The story of the faithful dog who waits patiently for his master at the train station every single day until his death will melt anyone’s heart. How to get there: By JR Shonan-Shinjuku or Yamanote Line OR Subway Fukutoshin Line to Shibuya Station, take Hachiko Exit 8

5. HARAJUKU

Anything with a hint of kawaii, you can find in Harajuku. In Takeshita Dori (Takeshita Street), you’ll find vintage clothes, cute character merchandise and several creperies. Although it is more appealing to the younger and trendy crowd, it is still worth visiting even just to drop by the big Daiso store halfway through the street. Check the back streets too, it’s less busy but still has some interesting finds. Duration: 1 to 2 hours Location: 1 Chome-17 Jingumae, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0001, Japan Operating hours: Most shops are open from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM How to get there: By JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station, Takeshita Exit OR Subway Fukutoshin Line to Meiji-jingumae ‘Harajuku’ Station, Exit 3

Travel Tip: For a hipster and slightly less-busy vibe, go to Harajuku Cat Street instead. Connecting Harajuku and Shibuya, you’ll find a variety of cafes, restaurants and boutiques, both local and international. Checking the side streets for a hole in the wall find is also every bit exciting.

6. MEIJI JINGU SHRINE AND YOYOGI PARK

One of the many things that I love about Tokyo is the beautiful parks in the middle of the city. Pack your lunch or just buy a bento box and sushi at a konbini and enjoy a relaxing hour at Yoyogi Park. Within the grounds of the park is the Meiji Jingu Shrine. And if you’re lucky, you’ll witness one of the many festivals and ceremonies being held at Meiji Jingu Shrine and Yoyogi Park. Duration: 1 to 2 hours Location: 1-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya City, Tokyo 151-8557, Japan Operating hours: Opening Hours change per month. Check the schedule here. How to get there: By JR Yamanote Line to Harajuku Station, Takeshita Exit OR Subway Fukutoshin Line to Meiji-jingumae ‘Harajuku’ Station, Exit 2

Travel Tip: On some weekends (usually a Sunday), there’s a flea market in Yoyogi Park. Check the schedule of activities in the area if there’s one during your visit.

Suggested Tour: Panoramic Tokyo One Day Tour (8 hours)

7. SHOP TO YOUR HEART’S CONTENT

Shibuya and Shinjuku, or even the posh Omotesando and Ginza, you’ll surely shop until you drop while in Tokyo. Anime fans and gadget lovers will want to spend hours browsing through the many shops in Akihabara and Ikebukuro. Location: Ginza is a popular shopping district but is more upscale. I prefer Shibuya and Shinjuku because of the variety of options for every budget, style and interest. Operating hours: Time varies per shop/mall

8. SHINJUKU GYOEN NATIONAL GARDEN

This luscious garden is especially beautiful during the Sakura season. It’s the perfect distraction from the busy streets of Tokyo. Picnic with the family is also a popular activity here. Duration: 1 to 2 hours Location: 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0014, Japan Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Closed on Mondays How to get there: By JR Yamanote Line to Shinjuku Station OR By Subway Marunouchi Line to Shinjuku-gyoemmae Station, Exit 1 or 3

9. SHINJUKU GOLDEN GAI

Rub shoulders (literally) with locals looking to unwind after a hard day’s work at any of the 200 bars and eateries in Golden Gai. Unfortunately, some bars (thankfully not all) ban foreigners or tourists because well, we tend to act very touristy. If you do come across a foreigner-friendly bar, go in, order a drink and simply enjoy the night. Be aware though that some bars, have a cover charge. Location: 1 Chome-1-6 Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0021, Japan Operating hours: Time varies but it’s mostly from 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM. How to get there: By JR Yamanote Line to Shinjuku Station OR By Subway Marunouchi Line to Shinjuku Station, Exit B10 or East Exit

Travel Tip: Keep in mind that Golden Gai is located in Tokyo’s red-light district, Kabukicho. Although Tokyo is a safe city, it’s still smart to keep your wits about you especially when exploring red-light districts or any of the alleyways. The Kabukicho area is an unpopular choice for those traveling with kids, but it’s still worth passing by the area just to see the bright lights and bustling streets. There are some cheap but delicious restaurants in the area too. Just avoid those people approaching you with “specials, etc”. There’s nothing special about them.

10. OMOIDE YOKOCHO

Also in Shinjuku is the Piss Alley or Memory Lane. Choose among the izakayas and ramen joints that line up the alleyways. Go on a yakitori binge and pair it up with Japanese shochu to complete the experience. Duration: 1 hour Location: 1 Chome-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan Operating hours: From Late afternoon. Closing time varies per shop How to get there: By JR Yamanote Line to Shinjuku Station OR By Subway Marunouchi Line to Shinjuku Station, West Exit

Travel Tip: If you’re in Shibuya, you can also check out Nonbei Yokocho right by the Shibuya Station.

11. FREE CITY VIEWS AT THE TOKYO METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT BUILDING

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building offers free access to their two observation decks(North and South Towers) on the 45th floor. When the sky is clear, you will get the chance to see Tokyo’s major landmarks from the South Tower such as Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Skytree, the Meiji Shrine and if you’re very lucky, even Mt. Fuji! Duration: 1 hour Location: 2 Chome-8-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 163-8001, Japan Operating hours: North Tower 9:30 AM to 11:00 PM | South Tower 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM How to get there: By Subway Oedo Line to Tochomae Station, Exit A4

12. ENROLL IN A JAPANESE COOKING CLASS

This has been in my bucket list for a while and I’m putting it on top of my itinerary the next time I visit Tokyo. Choose from a variety of cooking classes from tempura and sushi-making, ramen, bento box, and even a multiple-course meal called kaiseki. Duration: 3 hours Location: Classes are held either in a cooking studio or the instructor’s home. Operating hours: Most classes start in the morning around 9:00 AM, so you can finish and enjoy your meal by lunchtime.

Book a class here: Wagyu Kaiseki Cooking Course | Sushi Making Course

13. SHOP AT DON QUIJOTE

No matter which city in Japan, you’ll always find a Don Quijote or Donki store. There you’ll find a throng of tourists shopping for souvenirs, food items and just about anything you need or didn’t even know you want. There’s a Don Quijote in all of the major shopping areas in Tokyo. Check out the Mega Don Quijote in Shibuya! Duration: 1 to 2 hours Location: 28-6 Udagawa-cho Shibuya-ku Tokyo, Japan Operating hours: 24 hours How to get there: By JR or Subway to Shibuya Station

14. 100-YEN AND 300-YEN STORES

Also worth mentioning are the discount stores scattered throughout the city. The most popular are Daiso, Seria, Can★Do, 3Coins and Daiso’s newest discount store, Threeppy. Just a little outside Tokyo is The Daiso Giga-Funabashi, seven floors of discount heaven! Duration: 1 hour Location: 1 Chome-6-3 Honcho, Funabashi, Chiba 273-0005, Japan Operating hours: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM How to get there: By JR Sobu Main Line to Funabashi Station

15. TOKYO TOWER

Inspired by the Eiffel Tower, the Tokyo Tower is a working communications tower and one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist attractions. At the base of the tower is FootTown which has several restaurants, shops and a One Piece (manga and anime) themed amusement park. There are two observation decks, the Main (150m) and the Top Deck (250m). Duration: 1 to 2 hours Location: 4 Chome-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo 105-0011, Japan Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM How to get there: By Subway Oedo Line to Akabanebashi Station

Travel Tip: Tokyo Tower is best seen from afar. Walk to the nearby Shiba Park to get a good view. It’s also nice to see the tower at night when it’s lit.

Buy tickets here: Tokyo Tower Main Deck Admission | Tokyo One Piece Tower | Main Deck and One Piece Tower Combo

16. TOKYO SKYTREE

Another of Tokyo’s tall landmarks is the Tokyo Skytree. Like the Tokyo Tower, it is a broadcasting tower with an observation deck. The base of the tower also has cafes, restaurants and a shopping complex. It’s a popular tourist spot so expect a line and quite a waiting time when going up the tower. Duration: 1 to 2 hours Location: 1 Chome-1-2 Oshiage, Sumida City, Tokyo 131-0045, Japan Operating hours: 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM How to get there: By Subway Hanzomon Line to Oshiage ‘Skytree’ Station

Buy tickets here: Tokyo Skytree Tembo Deck and Tembo Galleria Fast Ticket

17. VISIT THE SENSOJI TEMPLE IN ASAKUSA

Get a glimpse of Old Tokyo by walking through the streets of Asakusa. Visit the Sensoji Temple and see the giant red lantern in its entrance gate called Kaminarimon. Buy traditional Japanese crafts and treats at Japan’s oldest shopping street, the Nakamise Dori. Duration: 1 to 2 hours Location: 2 Chome-3-1 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan Operating hours: 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM How to get there: By Subway Asakusa or Ginza Line to Asakusa Station, Exit 1 or 3

Travel Tip: Asakusa is also well-known for its tempura so make sure to eat at one of the many tempura shops in the area.

Suggested Tours: Panoramic Tokyo One Day Tour (8 hours) | Tokyo Asakusa Rickshaw Tour

18. RENT AND WEAR A KIMONO

One of the best ways to fully immerse yourself with the Japanese culture is by renting and wearing a kimono while you explore the grounds of Asakusa. Take those Instagram-worthy photos especially during the Cherry Blossom season. Duration: 2 to 3 hours Location: 1-3F, NW building, 1 Chome−1−11−4, Hanakawado, Taitō-ku, Tokyo Operating hours: Pick up the kimono on your preferred time between 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and return it by 4:30 PM How to get there: By Subway Asakusa or Ginza Line to Asakusa Station

Book the kimono rental here: Tokyo Kimono Experience

19. EXPLORE AKIHABARA

Famous for being the electronics hub of Tokyo, it is also the capital of anime and manga lovers. Duration: 1 to 2 hours How to get there: By JR Yamanote Line or Subway Hibiya Line to Akihabara Station, Exit 3

Travel Tip: Also in Akihabara are the Gundam Cafe and AKB48 Cafe and Shop.

20. SANRIO PUROLAND

Get ready for a load of cuteness when you visit Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo. It’s an indoor theme park for Sanrio-lovers! Duration: 3 to 4 hours Location: 1 Chome-31 Ochiai, Tama, Tokyo 206-8588, Japan Operating hours: Time varies. Check the schedule here. How to get there: By Keio Line to Tama-Center Station

Buy tickets here: Tokyo Sanrio Puroland Admission Ticket

21. RIDE A HOHO BUS

If you only have a couple of days in Tokyo, consider taking a Sky Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour. You get unlimited Sightseeing bus rides for 24 hours that goes around Tokyo’s most popular tourist attractions. Just to be clear though, they do not operate 24 hours but rather the validity of your ticket is 24 hours from the first time you use it. So it’s either you use it for the whole day or you can use it first in the afternoon and continue on the following morning. Duration: 24 hours Location: SKY BUS Ticket Counter, 1/F of Mitsubishi Building in Marunouchi Operating hours: Ticket redemption 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM How to get there: By JR Chuo Line OR Subway Marunouchi Line to Tokyo Station, South exit

Buy tickets here: Sky Hop-on and Hop-off Bus Pass

22. SHOP FOR FOOD AT A DEPACHIKA

If you haven’t been to a depachika before, you’re missing out on some seriously delicious foodie experience. Depachikas are department store basement food halls and it’s one of Tokyo’s hidden gems. You’ll find a wide variety of food, beverage and all sorts of treats; French, Italian, Chinese, Korean and of course, Japanese. From bento boxes to fresh sushi, you’ll also be delighted with an assortment of sweet treats and pastries. You can also pick up a souvenir that you can take back home. It’s every food lovers’ idea of heaven. Duration: 1 hour Location: Most major department stores but the best ones are in Ginza, Shinjuku or Shibuya. Ikebukuro Tobu is the biggest so that’s also worth checking out. Operating hours: Time varies but most are open from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM.

Travel Tip: Food stalls usually sell perishable food items at a discount an hour before closing time. This is actually a great dinner option if you’re on a budget and trust me, the food is still of high quality. I love picking up my late-night dessert at a depachika!

23. UENO PARK

Ueno Park is one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist spots, especially during the Cherry Blossom season. It is home to the Kaneji and Kiyomizu Kannon Temple, and the Toshogu Shrine. Aside from that, there are many museums in the area such as the Tokyo National Museum and Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum. There is also the Ueno Zoo for fun family activity. Duration: 2 hours Location: 5-20 Uenokoen, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0007, Japan Operating hours: The park is open 24 hours but the temples, museums and zoo have varying operating hours. How to get there: By JR Yamanote Line or Subway Hibiya Line to Ueno Station, Exit 7-9

24. ODAIBA

Located in a man-made island by the Tokyo Bay is Odaiba. Known as an entertainment and shopping hub, Odaiba is worth visiting if only to access and see the Rainbow Bridge, especially at night when it is illuminated. Gundam fans will enjoy spending a few hours in DiverCity Tokyo Plaza. Also located here is Japan’s biggest indoor theme park, Tokyo Joypolis. Duration: 2 hours Location: Odaiba, Minato-ku, Tokyo Operating hours: Time varies How to get there: By Yurikamome to Odaiba-Kaihinkoen Station

Suggested Tour: Panoramic Tokyo One Day Tour (8 hours) | Tokyo Joypolis Passport

25. TSUKIJI MARKET

Even though the original Tsukiji Wholesale (Inner) Market where the infamous tuna auctions are being held had already closed, the Outer Market and the many food stalls and restaurants surrounding the area are still open to food lovers looking to taste Tokyo’s freshest catch. Duration: 2 hours Operating hours: 5:00 AM to 2:00 PM How to get there: By Toei Oedo Line to Tsukijishijo Station, Exit A1

Travel Tip: Aside from the fresh produce and seafood being sold in the Outer Market, it is also famous for the many sushi restaurants where patrons line up for breakfast or lunch. Prices vary and you could end up paying as much as $100 for a meal. Don’t worry though, because there are many affordable options in the area that doesn’t sacrifice the quality. That’s Japan for you!

Suggested Tour: Tsukiji Fish Market Food and Drink Half Day Tour

26. TOYOSU MARKET

Toyosu Market is the new fish market, replacing Tsukiji Wholesale Market. For visitors who would like to watch the auction, there are observation windows and decks, however, advance reservations are required for your preferred date which needs to be submitted on a given date a month prior. The participants are chosen by lottery will be given 10 minutes to view the auction. Don’t worry though because even if you can’t be there to experience the auction, there are still many things to see and do in the market area, and that includes eating of course! Duration: 1 to 2 hours Location: 6 Chome-3 Toyosu, Koto City, Tokyo 135-0061, Japan Operating hours: 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM How to get there: By Subway Yurakucho Line to Toyosu and then Yurikamome to Shijo-mae Station

Apply here for the Tuna Auction Ticket: Toyosu Tuna Auction

27. SHOP FOR KNIVES AND OTHER KITCHEN EQUIPMENT AT KAPPABASHI DORI

Kappabashi Dori or Kitchen Town is every cook’s dream. Whether you are a professional chef or a home cook, one of the best investments you can buy for yourself is a high-quality, Japanese-made chef’s knife. You can even have it custom-engraved! Duration: 1 hour Location: 3 Chome-18-2 Matsugaya, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0036, Japan Operating hours: Most shops are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM How to get there: By Subway Ginza Line to Tawaramachi Station, Exit 3

28. DAYTRIP TO MT. FUJI

If you have an extra day to spare while in Tokyo, why not go on a day trip to the beautiful Mt. Fuji. Need I say more? Duration: Whole day How to get there: The best way to get there is by bus. There are bus stations in Shinjuku or Shibuya Stations that would take you there in about two hours.

Suggested Tour: Mt Fuji & Hakone Day Tour

29. MAID CAFE

One of the unique Japanese experiences you can have is visiting a Maid Cafe. Catering to otaku or anime and manga fanatics, young women are dressed usually in French maid uniforms and treat the patrons as masters, usually providing entertainment by singing, dancing or playing with them. Duration: 1 hour Location: Akihabara Operating hours: Time varies but it’s usually between 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM How to get there: By JR Yamanote Line or Subway Hibiya Line to Akihabara Station, Exit 3

Buy tickets here: Maid Cafe Experience at Maidreamin Tokyo

30. SHOP FOR COSMETICS AND SKINCARE PRODUCTS

Japan is also known for its great skin, body and hair care products. There’s the popular but expensive SK-II but don’t worry, you won’t have to break the bank for some good quality products. Some of my favorites are the popular Senka Perfect Whip, Lululun Face Masks and the Shiseido Tsubaki hair products. Duration: 1 hour Location: Department stores, local pharmacies, groceries or even Don Quijote Operating hours: Time varies per shop

Just a couple of reminders before you leave for your trip

If you have plans of traveling extensively in Japan, I recommend purchasing the JR Rail Pass. This pass is only available to foreign visitors and must be purchased online before your visit. It gives you unlimited access to the majority of JR Railways (including the Shinkansen), local buses and some ferries. You can choose from 7-day, 14-day and 21-day access.

I also recommend renting a pocket wifi. It usually includes unlimited data and can be delivered straight to your hotel. Tokyo has some public wifi access in tourist-packed areas, but a pocket wifi will ensure you’ll have access all the time. It’s especially handy when figuring out where to go to next or looking for restaurant options.

This list is regularly updated, so please bookmark this page! And, if you also have Osaka in your travel plans, check out my 30+ Things to Do in Osaka!

Like this post? Need it for later? Pin it!

#gallery-0-6 { margin: auto; } #gallery-0-6 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-0-6 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-0-6 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */

[mailerlite_form form_id=3]

        Klook.com(function(d, sc, u) { var s = d.createElement(sc), p = d.getElementsByTagName(sc)[0]; s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = u; p.parentNode.insertBefore(s,p); })(document, 'script', '//cdn.klook.com/affiliate_web/s/dist/desktop/affiliate_base_v3.1.js')

30 Things to Do in Tokyo, Japan (Tokyo Activities Bucket List 2019) This blog post contains affiliate links. For more information, please read my Disclaimer. 30 Things to Do in Tokyo on Your First Visit | Attractions and Activities…